‘Collateral’ Download and Reviews
“Collateral” Movie Details
Collateral tagline: It started like any other night
 Collateral DVD Cover |
Actors:
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Traffic Cop #2 |
“Collateral” Movie Review
“Collateral” Plot Summary
A cab driver finds himself the hostage of an engaging contract killer as he makes his rounds from hit to hit during one night in LA. He must find a way to save both himself and one last victim.
The Best thriller of 2004.
Collateral combines star power, great performances, top notch direction, a fantastic soundtrack and what is a bona fide contender to be called the best action scene in years. Quite simply, I can not think of a movie released in 2004 that thrilled me quite as much as Collateral. Collateral has Tom Cruise (Who rivals Sean Penn to be called my favorite actor of the generation of 40-something year olds) as Vincent, a smart, precise hit-man in Los Angeles to kill five targets in one night. He hires cabdriver Max (Jamie Foxx, in a now Oscar nominated performance) for the night and they’re off. Max realizes that something is up around the time that Vincent leaves at the first stop and a dead body hits the roof of his cab. Upon his return, he replies that he didn’t kill him, ‘Bullets and the fall killed him.’ Over the course of the night they make more stops, most of which turn into great scenes, whether they’re going to a jazz club to off a guy or to a hospital to pay a visit to Max’s mom. The scene I was referring to the best action scene in years takes place in a night club where Max and Vincent, some cops who think Max is the killer, a thug belonging to Vincent’s employer who also thinks Max is the Killer, a cop who knows Max isn’t the Killer, club security, Vincent’s target and his bodyguards and a dance floor full of bystanders meet up. There is about five minutes of characters driving to the club that builds up tension beyond belief. When it goes down, it may be a flurry of gunfire, but with the setting of the club, the quality of Mann’s direction and the coolest piece of music I’ve heard in a movie this year(Paul Oakenfold- Ready Steady Go,) it adds up to the best action scene of at least this year, topping even the car chases of movies like The Bourne Supremacy, Which I loved, The Matrix Reloaded, Which I liked, and I, Robot, Which I didn’t care for. Collateral can be seen as an adrenaline pumping thriller, which it is, or as something more. For those of us who loved Mann’s 1995 epic Heat, Collateral is definitely the latter. Mann makes references to heat in several ways. For those who thought that the subway finale was a disappointment, check out Heat. The nod there is that Heat begins on a subway platform and ends at the airport, while Collateral begins in the LAX terminal and ends on the subway. That is just one of several nods. When people have been saying stuff about the best thriller of 2004, they are frequently mentioning Collateral, The Bourne Supremacy and The Manchurian Candidate. While I consider Collateral a clear victor, I certainly understand why someone would mention The Bourne Supremacy, but The Manchurian Candidate was murky all the way through, had a weak ending and was a major step down from the 1962 version, which is one of the best movies ever made. I’ll use the phrase that James Berardinelli uses on his favorite summer movies to wrap this up. When the dust settles, Collateral will be the best of this (Last) years summer movies. Sadly, Collateral only got two Oscar nods, Supporting Actor, Foxx, and Editing. However, that’s more than any other mentioned summer thriller got. ***1/2 (Out of ****)
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‘Million Dollar Baby’ Download and Reviews
“Million Dollar Baby” Movie Details
Million Dollar Baby tagline: Beyond his silence, there is a past. Beyond her dreams, there is a feeling. Beyond hope, there is a memory. Beyond their journey, there is a love.
 Million Dollar Baby DVD Cover |
Actors:
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Cut Man |
“Million Dollar Baby” Movie Review
“Million Dollar Baby” Plot Summary
A hardened trainer/manager works with a determined woman in her attempt to establish herself as a boxer.
Beautifully acted, beautifully shot, intimate and profound
The thing that initially struck me about Million Dollar Baby was that it was beautifully shot, making excellent use of light and shade, close and far perspectives, angle and slow-motion. Within these techniques, which are used for effect and not over-used to show off, the simple narrative was able to take shape, performed by actors who appreciated its depth and subtlety, so played their roles with reserved emotion and calm understatement that fit their characters perfectly. Lesser performers would’ve made a botch of the roles that Eastwood and Swank crafted to near-perfection
The movie concerns itself with boxing but is not a boxing movie, rather that’s just the vehicle for its main themes: hope, dreams, determination, success and then loss. Still, it would be facile and glib to ‘use’ boxing in this way and then just gloss over its intricacies… this is where Morgan Freeman’s earthy narration comes into play, telling us all there is to know about training boxers in that same assuring way he told us about Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption. So we can chart Maggie’s progress without the characters having to pause and explain what’s going on, and Swank herself – playing the role with layers of nervousness, exuberance, doggedness and zeal – provides the perfect canvas for us to see these changes
The main narrative is simple so shouldn’t be spoiled, however other subplots are constantly at work throughout the movie: Eddie’s own career and his relationship with Frankie, Maggie’s poor background and her relationship with her abhorrent family, Frankie’s long-lost daughter and his taunting interplay with his local priest. None of these runs away with or smothers the movie, nor are they followed through to much conclusion, but they provide intriguing depth to the three main characters as we come to know them in the shadowy expanse of Frankie’s boxing gym. Million Dollar Baby shows you that great films do not need a convoluted storyline or a supercilious screenplay, just great actors and a great cinematographer.
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‘Law Abiding Citizen’ Download and Reviews
“Law Abiding Citizen” Movie Details
Law Abiding Citizen tagline: The System Must Pay
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| Directors: F. Gary Gray | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IMDB Rating: 7.3/10 out of 6,806 votes |
“Law Abiding Citizen” Movie Review
“Law Abiding Citizen” Plot Summary
A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family’s killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal. |
This was amazing!
I went into this movie just wanting to watch Gerard because I love him as an actor. When I got in there, I realized that this was not going to be just any movie. This movie was kick ass and I am so glad that I went to see it. I would pay 10 times to go watch this movie in theaters. He really took it over the edge, and the quote that my friends and I are saying since then is ‘It’s going to be biblical’ They really make each scene one for the books with creative ideas and thrilling scenes that keep you wondering what will be in store. It is one of the few movies that my heart was racing and my mind was wondering what would happen next. I love it and cannot wait to see it again.
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‘The Passion of the Christ’ Download and Reviews
“The Passion of the Christ” Movie Details
The Passion of the Christ tagline: By his wounds, we were healed.
 The Passion of the Christ DVD Cover |
Actors:
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Old Temple Guard |
“The Passion of the Christ” Movie Review
“The Passion” Plot Summary
A film detailing the final hours and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. add synopsis
Amazing film on multiple levels.
Mel Gibson has done the impossible. He has created a tale of the Christ that works on three separate levels
As a spiritual message, the film is overwhelming, bringing tears of renewal to the believers in the audience. Even if you are not a believer, though, I still think there is something in this for you
As an historical observation, the film is brilliant, depicting the social and political dynamics of the Romans and Sanhedrin with clarity and accessibility. This is the most believable interpretation of what happened to Christ, and although I knew the story going in, I found myself getting caught in the narrative, hoping someone would realize that this was an innocent man and that the persecution would stop
Finally, as a work of art, this film is unparalleled. Mel borrows from the works of Caravaggio, Puntarmo, Michelangelo and Leonardo et. al., as well as the Medieval Passion Plays. As one who was made to study this in college, it all came back to me in a graphic context, with production design so amazing that it felt like I was going back in time, that I was seeing Jesus and Pilate and Peter and Mary
This film will rock your world, and that’s an understatement. One of the most beautiful films I have seen.
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‘The Soloist’ Download and Reviews
“The Soloist” Movie Details
The Soloist tagline: Life has a mind of its own
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| Directors: Joe Wright | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IMDB Rating: 6.8/10 out of 11,159 votes |
“The Soloist” Movie Review
“The Soloist” Plot Summary
A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Julliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.
Interesting to know
I am a musician and live in France, where the release date of this movie is scheduled for Sept. 2 2009. I obviously cannot write a review at the present time but have nevertheless read the book
What no one mentions in all of the above comments is that Nathaniel Ayers was originally a Double Bass student at Julliard and NOT a cellist. That instrument– along with the violin, trumpet, and piano, all came about later on. Put any instrument into his hands and he’ll do his best to master it. Having attended Yale university, I did not know him personally, even though we studied with one of the greatest bass teachers in the New York area at that time: Homer Mensch. Recently our paths did finally cross thanks to one of our mutual acquaintances, bassist and composer Joe Russo. Nathan likes to write down the names of his long lost good friends on walls, or any writing surface, and Joe’s name is always there, scribbled amongst his favorites. This was where Steve noticed Joe’s name and Googled him to look up his website. A new and close friendship resulted between them, and the many anecdotes that Joe pulled out of Nathan’s past were worth their weight in gold to Steve, enough to devote the entire chapter 8 of the book to Joe!To me, reading this book made me come to the conclusion that every man has his hour in life, and Nathan’s time had come now. The chances of 2 men, one homeless and one not, being pulled together through the sound of a violin in a rush hour tunnel, were undoubtedly written in the stars. Through articles, a book and now a film on Nathan, Steve helped uplift a poor and abandoned part of society to a rank that it never imagined nor asked for, but morally deserved. We all know that the Internet is indeed capable of connecting and reconnecting people in the present, but only music can magically, throughout time, open the doors that connect all of us to one another.
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‘Miami Vice’ Download and Reviews
“Miami Vice” Movie Details
Miami Vice tagline: No Law
 Miami Vice DVD Cover |
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| Directors: Michael Mann | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IMDB Rating: 6.0/10 out of 49,310 votes |
“Miami Vice” Movie Review
“Miami Vice” Plot Summary
Based on the 1980’s TV action/drama, this update focuses on vice detectives Crockett and Tubbs as their respective personal and professional lives become dangerously intertwined.
Impressive
The film jumps straight into the action and keeps viewers interested throughout on a two and a half hour roller-coaster ride. Although sometimes a strenuous story-line (concentration is needed to follow the plot) Foxx and Farrell provide excellent acting in an impressive action – flick. Good acting support is provided in a film which doesn’t just concentrate on action but touches on so much else. An improvement upon the already great Collateral, and a worthy successor to the original Miami Vice T.V series. With a mix of romance, beautiful settings, gorgeous vehicles, excellent fire-fights and inspirational acting – this is the film of the year so far. Mann has outdone himself.
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‘Man on the Moon’ Download and Reviews
“Man on the Moon” Movie Details
Man on the Moon tagline: Hello, my name is Andy and this is my poster.
 Man on the Moon DVD Cover |
Actors:
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Yogi |
“Man on the Moon” Movie Review
“Man on the Moon” Plot Summary
A film about the life and career of the eccentric avant-garde comedian, Andy Kaufman. add synopsis
InCrEdIbLe
I am Italian and I don’t speak English very well but This film is a MASTERPIECE. Why didn’t anybody tell me about it? This is surely the best film ever produced. No oscars No advertising How is it possible This film is much more beautiful than more than half of the top 250 imdb. My words are usless
WATCH IT AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THIS GREAT FILM
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‘Ali’ Download and Reviews
“Ali” Movie Details
Ali tagline: Forget What You Think You Know
 Ali DVD Cover |
Actors:
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Cassius Clay, Sr. |
“Ali” Movie Review
“Ali” Plot Summary
A biography of sports legend, Muhammad Ali, from his early days to his days in the ring. add synopsis
The Greatest of All Times – Ali
In this true story about the life of Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali, director Michael Mann does a great job of bringing Ali’s personality to life by casting Will Smith for the title role. This movie takes you through the accounts of Ali’s life showing you how he became ‘The Greatest’ including his title fight with Sonny Liston (Michael Bentt), his decision to follow the Nation of Islam, personal triumphs and defeats with marriage, being banned from boxing, and the famous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman (Charles Shufford).
Although the movie did a pretty good job of depicting Ali’s life by the use of non linear structure and showing the complexity of human relationships, I felt it would have been a little more interesting if it would have shown more about his connection to Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles) and the Nation of Islam since he is a devout Muslim
The movie shows the heart and determination of Ali and his quest for being the greatest boxer of all times by the vigorous workouts and strict training regiments by his trainer/cornerman Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown (Jamie Foxx) with the use of deep focus in a lot of the shots where the two of the had conversations and extreme close up shots of Ali’s face during his fights when he was sent to his corner, especially of his eyes
The intensity of the workouts and the actual fights made you feel like you were right amongst the action, similar to the portrayal of Denzel Washington as Reuben ‘The Hurricane’ Carter in his life story
It shows his playful humor with his opponents, often calling them names, taunting them about being so ugly and his colleague, Howard Cosell (Jon Voight) whom he shares a close relationship with and always teased about snatching his toupee off of his head and how much prettier he was than Howard
In his personal life, Ali goes through a series of marriages with Sonji Roi (Jada Pinkett Smith), Belinda Ali (Nona Gaye) and Veronica Porche (Michael Michelle) and being banished from boxing for not participating in the Vietnam War
Overall, the movie was a pretty decent portrayal of Ali’s career and personal life, showing the highs and lows, personal triumphs and ultimate victory of one mans quest to be the ‘Greatest of All Times’ through hard work, being focused, dedication, love, and friendship with some tears, laughter and playful banter.
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