Contagion

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An unusual virus arises, and begins to spread at an abnormal rate globally. It murders its victims within days. This film follows one of the family that began the carrying the virus in America. The film also follows the team of scientific researchers who attempt to find how it began and a cure.

This film was directed by Steven Soderbergh. This film has been praised by New Scientist (a scientific magazine) for its accuracy in discovery, control, and finding a cure for a disease. It really plays off the ideals of CDC developments, pharmaceutical companies, and human strife. It also remnants from a real virus, the Henipavirus. This film is presented as if it were a documentary about an actual disease. This unfortunately doesn't allow room for audiences to develop a true personal attachment to the story or the characters. The story does mix together a lot of various character stories to create on coherent film. Each of the stories is relevant to the film, even Krumwiede's story. It manages to create the coherent plot without being too bogged down with scientific language or general confusion. There isn't a deep back story for the characters, but the character development arises from their choices and reactions. It was great that the film showed the cause of the disease at the end of the film. It gave it a truly unsettling feel. It does manage to carry basic human fears of an incurable disease.


The cast in this film worked great even if they didn't generally work together. Matt Damon played the role of Mitch Emhoff. He was good in his film. He didn't give the film as much heart as his character needed to provide for the film, but he did leave an emotional impression. Laurence Fishburne played the role of Dr. Ellis Cheever. He was good in his small role. He played the doctor torn between his job and his loved ones. It was a general role, but it did carry a good message. Kate Winslet played the role of Dr. Erin Mears. She was good in her role. She presented a hopelessness to the situation. Jude Law played the role of Alan Krumwiede. He was good in his role, but the methods used to present his character made him appear as the fool. His role was important in that it showed an early possible cure, and how he got screwed from his discovery. Marion Cotillard played the role of Dr. Leonora Orantes. She was good in her small role. She didn't stand out amongst the rest of the cast. Gwyneth Paltrow played the role of Elizabeth "Beth" Emhoff. She was great in her small role.

I give this film a 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great thriller film that plays off modern fears within civilization.

Answer to last blog: Sylvester Stallone's first major role was in Deathrace 2000.

Que: What other film has actress Gwyneth Paltrow also starred in?

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Ocean's Eleven
The Royal Tenenbaums
Finding Neverland

The Expendables (2010)

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This film follows a team of mercenaries, led by Barney Ross, are sent on an assignment to Vilena. They are told to murder the tyrannical ruler General Gaza. But this turns out to be a ploy created by the CIA, and the real target is James Munroe (a former CIA agent who became greedy). Barney Ross becomes torn after meeting Sandra between helping the country and saving her, or aborting the mission.

This film was directed by... Sylvester Stallone. The film poster explains it all. Bringing to life former action actors with a few recent action actors to create a testosterone driven film. This film harkens back to the old classic action films of the 1990's with its familiar action hero's. It lacks any real fluid story, but it does contain plenty of heart. There is a lack of imagination to its familiarity. The plot and characters are way to generic. However, there is plenty of intense action to enjoy. The film is full of explosions and large loud guns. Some of the scene's are obviously assisted with computer animation. Humorously, there isn't a lot of sex in this film. It's hinted at, but not overplayed. I wouldn't recommend this film for children. There is a sequel to this film, currently in theaters. There is also talks of a third installment.

The cast worked well together. There wasn't much character development, but they worked well with what material they had. Sylvester Stallone played the leading role of Barney Ross. It's not always a bad thing for a director to act in his films. However, Stallone takes it over the top with making sure his character is the most bad ass and most liked. Jason Statham played the role of Lee Christmas. He was great playing the emotional bad ass. He gave the film some emotional depth. Dolph Lundgren played the role of Gunner Jensen. He was great in his conflicted role. He gave the film some story to follow. Eric Roberts played the role of James Munroe. He was great as the villain. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin played the role of Dan Paine. He was great being the character everyone despised. David Zayas played the role of General Garza. He was good in his role, but didn't stand out. Mickey Rourke played the role of Tool. He was good, and became amazing once he gave his speech. Jet Li, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture played the roles of Yin Yang, Hale Caeser, and Toll Road. They were good in their general filler roles. Giselle Itie played the role of Sandra Garza. She was good in her small role providing the film with something other than action.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It has all the basic qualities for a good action film. It lacks any real story or imagination that could have made it into a great film.

Answer to last blog: Director Jay Roach directed the films Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and The Campaign.

Que: What was Stallone's first major film role?

Death Race 2000
Rocky
Rambo
F.I.S.T

The Campaign

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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Two corporate brothers, Glenn and Wade Motch, decide to gain a political edge in congress by placing a push over into office. They turn to Marty Huggins, who operates a tourism office. For the first time, Cam Brady is being opposed in an official election for North Carolina. This sets the two on a collision course for political power in congress.

This film was directed by Jay Roach who is a popular comedic director. This film found a perfect time to be released. It was released during a turbelant political election. It is a satire that is based off real people (the Koch Brothers and John Edwards). It mainly satires the ideals of large corporations involvement with politics and what a politician needs to be a suitable candidate. The political message was well placed, and didn't hurt the film. It doesn't have much sharp intellectual humour in it, but it is full of great overly done comical moments. A lot of the jokes were predictable and verbally slapstick. The story does become an inspirational story, but only at the end. The script pits two great comical actors against one another. Each shared the spotlight perfectly. 

The cast worked great together. Will Ferrell played the role of Cam Brady. Ferrell plays the familiar type of character seen in other films. He does go slightly over the top, but he manages to pull off great comedic moments. Zach Galifianakis played the role of Marty Huggins. He was very different in this film. He didn't go over the top like he normally does, and he played this character disturbingly well. Dylan McDermott plated the role of Tim Wattley. He was great as Huggins campaign manager. He showed the brutality that's needed to win an election. He also had several moments of unexpected humour. Jason Sudeikis played the role of Mitch. He was good, but didn't stand out amongst the rest of the cast. Sarah Baker played the role of Mitzi Huggins. She was great in this film. She stood out as the average American wife. Katherine LaNaza played the role of Rose Brady. She was good playing the role of popular political wives. John Lithgow and Dan Aykroyd played the roles of Glenn and Wade Motch. They were great at playing their deceptive roles. 

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is a good comedy film that was released at the appropriate time. It is great to watch two popular comedians pinned against each other.

Answer to last blog: Actress Mary Elizabeth Winestead starred in the film Live Free or Die Hard, and the film The Thing (2011).

Que: What other film has Jay Roach directed?

The Full Monty
The Man Who Knew Too Little
Liar Liar
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Watcing the campaign... Look for the review soon

The Thing (2011)

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A prequel to John Carpenter's film of the same name, and is a nod to the film The Thing from Another World directed by Christian Nyby and Howard Hawks, which was based off the novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell. An Antartica research team discovers something under the ice. An alien life form that had become frozen. They begin studying the new life form, but it escapes from its icy tomb. It starts attacking the people trapped in this research facility in Antartica. 

This film was directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. (a mouthful). This takes a difficult leap in that it is a prequel instead of a remake (as most modern horror films are doing currently). It being prequel also gives it the challenge of fitting in with John Carpenter's The Thing while retelling the story of the original. This film manages to succeed as a prequel while creating its own horror roots. The story is limited to the source material, and doesn't allow the characters much room to internally develop. It is different in that the lead female character keeps a calm head in an attempt to survive. It is great watching someone use general knowledge in a horror film. The story did great in keeping audience's guessing who else has become infected by The Thing. There is some gore, but it's not overbearing. However, it does have several disturbing moments when mixing alien and human DNA. The creatures in this film looked a little too glossy, but were terrorizing nevertheless. The severed arm was brilliantly done. It was interesting to watch how the end credits lead to John Carpenter's The Thing.

The cast worked well together. Mary Elizabeth Winestead played the role of Kate Lloyd. She was great in her leading role. She gave the film a heroine to follow who acted intelligently. Ulrich Thomsen played the role of Dr. Sander Halvorson. He was good in his generic role. Eric Christian Olsen played the role of Adam Finch. He was good in his role. Trond Espen Seim played the role of Edvard Wolner. He was great in his role. He was great opposite Winestead. Kim Bubbs played the role of Juliette. She was good in her small role. 

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It's a great film, but it felt too bound by the source material. There also isn't much for character development, but the story is a great creature film.

Answer to last blog: Actress Daria Nicolodi is the mother to actress Asia Argento (whose father is Dario Argento).

Que: Actress Mary Elizabeth Winestead also starred in the film... ?

Juno
Bridge to Terabithia
Live Free or Die Hard
Dan in Real Life

Land of the Dead (2005)

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This film, a sequel in the Living Dead series, follows the next step of the human battle against the zombie plague. The surviving humans have built a protective compound to keep themselves safe. In this compound has developed an obvious separation of the rich and poor. Zombies are also slowly beginning to show signs of menial intelligence. Riley Denbo, and his friends, become caught in this feud between the zombies and humans.

This film was directed by... yep... George A. Romero. This is the fourth in Romero's, popular, Living Dead series. This film carries on many of the traditions of its genre. It makes some political and social statements about the current world. This film mainly focuses on the rich and poor, human vices, and racial understanding. It is also filled with plenty of gore and tons of zombies for pure horrific entertainment. The story follows the human perspective, as these films always do. It shows how humans have reacted to the zombie outbreak. The film was also full of satirical humour. It also has some great character development in a short amount of time. The zombie effects were well done. It was interesting to see the various deterioration of the zombies. There is a lot of hinted gore in this film. There is plenty of blood to enjoy though. Surprisingly there isn't much sexuality in the film. Thankfully, it lives up to Romero's reputation for zombie filled films. 

The cast worked great together. The characters are highly generic, but work for this film. Simon Baker played the role of Riley Denbo. He was good playing the general good boy. He presented an dehumanized mentality to surviving the apocalypse. Robert Joy played the role of Charlie. He was good in his small role. He added a sympathetic feel to the film. Asia Argento played the role of Slack. She was good in her general role of the bad ass beautiful chic. John Leguizamo played the role of Cholo DeMora. He was great in his conflicted role. Dennis Hopper played the role of Kaufman. He was good in his role of being the corrupted rich man. 

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is the best of the Living Dead series up to this point. It carries on a popular horror legacy that hundreds of people enjoy.

Answer to last blog: Director Larry Charles also directed the documentary Religulous, and the film The Dictator.

Que: What is the name of Asia Argento's mother's name (also an actress)?

Mara Abba
Daria Nicolodi
Angela Finocchiaro
Laura Morante

The Dictator (2012)

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Aladeen is the general dictator of Wadiya in North Africa. He goes to America to end fears of a nuclear threat. After arriving in America he gets kidnapped, and his beard is shaved off making him unrecognizable. He escapes and learns that an impostor has taken his place, and is planning to sign a new constitution to make Wadiya a democracy.  Aladeen uses the help of Zoey and Nadal to fight to keep Wadiya a dictatorship. 

This film was directed by Larry Charles. Somehow, this film managed to hit every popular current political button available (i.e. racism, feminism, pro-life, dictators, homosexuality, corruption in the white house, etc.). Which is probably what got this film banned in various third world countries. The film was overly publicized. This film's story is an obvious satire on recent dictatorships and political disagreements. The comedy is highly slap stick and vulgar. There are moments when the humor is just plain disgusting. There are several moments when it just went so far over the top it became corny, but the rest of the film was hilarious. The film is predictable story wise, but not with its humor. This film did create a great addicting musical score. I would strongly recommend keeping children from seeing this film. Granted it's not Sacha's greatest comedic work, but it is worth seeing once.

The cast worked well together. Sacha Baron Cohen played the role of Dictator Hafez Aladeen and the role of Efawadh. He was usual satirical good humored self. He was good giving a generally hated persona some heart. Anna Faris played the role of Zoey. She was good in her general role. She was the political fighter with a gentle nature. Jason Mantzoukas played the role Nadal. He was great in his role. It was amazing to watch Cohen and Mantzoukas play off each other during the film. Ben Kingsley played the role of Tamir. He was great playing the role of the villain.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It is a good comedy that satirizes present political quandaries. It might not be the best of his works, but it still has several good laughs.

Answer to last blog: Actress Maggie Grace worked with writer/producer Luc Besson on the film Taken, as well as Lockout.

Que: What other film did director Larry Charles direct?

Pray the Devil Back to Hell
Encounters at the End of the World
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Religulous