Raging Bull

(1980)

Todd Says:







1 STARS







Raging Bull may just be one of those movies that you either love or hate, without much possibility of middle ground. I'm not one of those diehard Scorsese fans who love everything he does. On the contrary, I think that his movies are overly similiar in both style and context. Raging Bull proved to be no exception for me.







This movie being very early on in both De Niro's and Pesci's careers, I still see the same old tough-guy gangster performance from both of them in almost every scene. The story is about an emotionally unstable boxer whose life slowly unravels due to his temper and paranoia. I found it hard to feel any real sympathy for the guy, as Scorsese doesn't really round him out very well.







If you like sports movies, this really isn't one. The fights are so abridged to make room for the out of the ring violence that you never really find yourself caring about the boxer's career. If you are a true Scorsese or De Niro fan than this is probably worth a watch for you, but mostly, I'm just tired of the same old same old from these guys.


Alexis says:

1 STAR

Often movies come out that are 'based' on real events or real people and sometimes even based on personal memoirs, such as Raging Bull, which was based on boxer Jake LaMotto's book. However, the screen play was rewritten and rewritten and eventually (and supposedly) the final draft was written by De Niro and Scorsese. So when I say that I don't like this film I believe I am being more critical of the director and the direction he took this story in than I am being critical of LaMotta's life.

I didn't care for the jagged filming with short fight scenes, this is a movie about a boxer right? I am not surprised that this movie got mixed reviews, but am surprised at it's now cult-like status. De Niro and Pesci aren't bad, but they aren't great either. It's impressive that De Niro got in such great shape to play the younger LaMotta and then gained sixty pounds to play the older LaMotto, but that isn't enough to make this a 5 star performance in my opinion.

I just wanted it to be over, I kept hoping for a point and checking the time. I couldn't feel sorry for LaMotta and his bad choices and selfish behavior and I didn't really care for the scene sequencing or the lack of fighting in a supposed boxing movie. I am still having a hard time seeing what all the fuss is about and wondering if I just don't get Scorsese.

The Good Shepherd

(2006)



Alexis says:

3.75 STARS

This film was pretty good, as usual Matt Damon evolves into the character he is portraying and gives a five star performance. The story in interesting and the teetering between both flashbacks and present day scenes develops and brings the story full circle wonderfully. Angelina Jolie gives an ordinary but enjoyable performance as well.

The film and the story it tells are sad yet honest. I have to admit that I was a little frustrated the first time I saw this film because I felt completely lost most of the way through, the second viewing I knew where the film was headed and I was able to pay attention to details that I had missed the first time. Unfortunately, I feel like this hurt my overall rating of this film. In the end I was enlightened and satisfied I just wish that I hadn't felt so lost with the story the first time but I imagine that was the director's intention.

Overall, the movie was filmed well and the story an intriguing one and I would recommend you invest a few hours in this one.

Todd Says:

5 STARS

I think that the Good Shepherd offers us a wonderful look inside the beginnings of an institution that is now the cornerstone of America's Foreign Policy. I don't know how much of the movie is factual and how much is fantasy, but to be honest it really doesn't matter much. This film is deep and riveting, and I found it hard to not become emotionally invested in the story.

The cast, which is the epitome of All-Star casting, is superb, and the writing and directing are nearly amazing. Even though some of the characters are hard to like (Jolie's especially), they seem like real people, which is rare in movies anymore.

The story, which is told in a seemingly random chronology, will keep you wondering what exactly is going on until the very end, when you come to the realization that this is a top notch spy movie and that you may never know exactly what you want to know. This movie, in my humble opinion, is brilliant and raises the bar a bit for movies of this genre.

You must see this.

Stardust

(2007)

Alexis says:

4 STARS:

Are you ready for a surprise (but not a spoiler)! I had no idea what to expect from this movie and it was actually pretty good. I think this film came out around the same time as The Golden Compass and I must say that now having seen both of them this is a far superior film.

Most of the acting is quite good, with the possible exception of Pheifer, is it just me or is she actually getting worse? De Niro gives a surprising performance as a completely unexpected character and newcomer Charlie Cox plays a decent romantic hero as Tristan.

Witches, cross-dressing pirates, dead princes, celestial beings, what more could a beautiful written sci-fi truly need? If you love a good fairy tale, this film is for you.

Todd Says:

3.5 STARS

I remember that this movie hit the theaters at about the same time as The Golden Compass did, and that it was overshadowed by the enormous hype of the latter. That was unfortunate, because I think the Stardust was a much better movie.

It seems, at first, like fairly standard fairy-tale fare, but as the story unfolded I really found myself enjoying it. It was fun to watch. It was quick-paced and witty, with a few unexpected turns. All in all, it was a little predictable but a lot of fun. I recommend this one to anyone who likes an adventure.

Sleepers

(1996)

Alexis says:

3.5 STARS

The first time I viewed this movie, shortly after it originally came out, I thought it was so depressing I may never watch it or any other Kevin Bacon movie ever again, but I love She's Having a Baby so much that I couldn't do that so the other night I agreed to viewing this movie again.

And I am so glad that I did.

Because even though it is a rather sad tale, it is a rather well told tale. Based on Lorenzo Carcaterra's book by the same name (and supposedly based on real events) the movie is so intrigiung that I don't really care if it is true or not, but I hope that it isn't. The way a mistake can effect the rest of your life. The impact that cruel people and their actions can have on others. The way that some people are just inherently stronger than others when it comes to overcoming extremely difficult situations. The lengths one will go to for revenge. The grip of childhood friendships.

This is one of the best movies we have seen in a long time, and though it is a brutal tale, it is nonetheless good.

Todd Says:

4.5 STARS

This is one of those top notch movies that should be in everyone's top 20 list, but somehow managed to slip through the cracks. It disturbs me that so many people have never even heard of this movie.

This is a crime/revenge/coming-of-age movie about four kids growing up in New York. It is powerful and touching.