LIMITLESS 3.0***
What if one little pill could radically change your life in a spectacular way. What would you give for this miracle? It has been said that we only use 10% of our brain power while the other 90% either stores vast amounts of data/memories or is simply not used. What if you could tap into this unknown potential for heightened intelligence, potential psychic abilities and being able to recall all your memories ??. “ Limitless” embraces this fantasy in a very interesting story.
It’s also an action-thriller about a writer who takes an experimental drug that allows him to use 100 percent of his mind. As he evolves into the perfect version of himself, evil forces learn of his discovery and relentlessly stalk him to get the drug. The movie begins with an out-of-work book writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) being dumped by his longtime girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) which confirms his belief that he has a zero future. That all vanishes the day an old friend introduces Eddie to MDT, a new and secret designer drug that enables him to use all of his brain power. Now on the MDT, everything Eddie has read, heard or seen is instantly organized and available to him. Suddenly, Eddie finishes his first book and turns life around with such fluidity that even he still can't comprehend what is happening. Needless to say, he needs more of the MDT . More leads to wealth as he plays the stock market and fame as his book is unbelievably brilliant. But there are consequences from taking and withdrawing from this drug leaving him addled with blackouts and severe headaches. With a dwindling stash of the MDT and hit men who will eliminate him to get the MDT, Eddie must stay wired long enough to elude capture and fulfill his destiny.
The problem with “Limitless” is that its concept is almost bigger than the rest of the film. The film is centered around this fantastic idea that doesn't seem to be developed to its maximum potential. The final product though isn't all bad. With an intriguing storyline, a strong performance from Bradley Cooper, and some fairly captivating cinematography, “Limitless” comes off as an above average thriller that is worth the ticket price if you’re wanting to go to the movies. Otherwise you could wait for it to come out on DVD.
It’s rated “PG-13”… only one shocking/disgusting scene involving drinking blood.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU 3.25****
What if what we thought was “free will” granted to us by God was only a well designed pretense. What if in fact God has decided for each of us in advance what our life “plan” should be. What if there was a host of invisible angels always around us to intervene and make “adjustments “if we should attempt to stray from the plan or if pure chance alters the plan. Well that’s the premise and a good one and they manage to pull it off fairly successfully.
Matt Damon, as a rising New York politician, and Emily Blunt, as a rising ballerina, are the stars and, as you might guess, become romantically involved. And of all things they first meet in the Men’s room at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and hit it off immediately even though we’re only talking about 5 minutes or so. It’s a “chance ‘ meeting that is not a part of their life “plan” . What happens from there makes for an interesting and enjoyable movie. Some may say its “hokey” or too “Hollywood”, but I liked it a whole lot and left with in strong “feel good” mood.
.It's a delightful surprise to have a well done romantic comedy sci-fi which speculates on the nature of god and whether we have free will or not. Filmed on location in New York City, it has intriguing twists and turns that show off the Big Apple in a pleasing way.
Some folks may be bothered by the religious aspect of the film, but the movie offers a reasonable explanation for why God might take away our free will. So don’t get tangled up in the premise but, instead, just sit back and enjoy the story and some good acting. After the movie you can debate among your friends the religious aspects.
It’s rated PG-13 for some brief strong language and some sexuality.
Clark
What if what we thought was “free will” granted to us by God was only a well designed pretense. What if in fact God has decided for each of us in advance what our life “plan” should be. What if there was a host of invisible angels always around us to intervene and make “adjustments “if we should attempt to stray from the plan or if pure chance alters the plan. Well that’s the premise and a good one and they manage to pull it off fairly successfully.
Matt Damon, as a rising New York politician, and Emily Blunt, as a rising ballerina, are the stars and, as you might guess, become romantically involved. And of all things they first meet in the Men’s room at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and hit it off immediately even though we’re only talking about 5 minutes or so. It’s a “chance ‘ meeting that is not a part of their life “plan” . What happens from there makes for an interesting and enjoyable movie. Some may say its “hokey” or too “Hollywood”, but I liked it a whole lot and left with in strong “feel good” mood.
.It's a delightful surprise to have a well done romantic comedy sci-fi which speculates on the nature of god and whether we have free will or not. Filmed on location in New York City, it has intriguing twists and turns that show off the Big Apple in a pleasing way.
Some folks may be bothered by the religious aspect of the film, but the movie offers a reasonable explanation for why God might take away our free will. So don’t get tangled up in the premise but, instead, just sit back and enjoy the story and some good acting. After the movie you can debate among your friends the religious aspects.
It’s rated PG-13 for some brief strong language and some sexuality.
Clark
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
BLUE VALENTINE 3.5*** (from an artistic standpoint)
If you think of a relationship as having a life of its own, then Blue Valentine is that life at the moment of death where that life (from beginning to near end) flashes in front of your eyes. The film uses a combination of present time and flashback showing how these two people came together and how they inevitably fell apart. Ryan Gossling and Michelle Williams ( she was nominated for Oscar’s Best actress) are both superb in this film. He plays all the clumsy sweetness and frustration of Dean perfectly, and she plays the damaged and need to be loved with a quiet power that is absent from most performances today.
These are two people with a very romanticized view of love. They view it as something that is there or it isn't there. From their backgrounds it is obvious why. Neither of them has any exposure to a couple working at love and tending to the relationship. Things are good, then they aren't. Williams character says early on, "How can you trust your feelings when they can just disappear like that?" That is a question that has plagued people as long as there have been relationships. At some point your feelings will change and if you are unequipped to change and grow with them, then the relationship is probably destined to fail.
There are two stories here (falling in love and falling apart) told in intersecting circles. You see the beginning of the end, then you see how they meet, you see the relationship deteriorate further, then you see their amazing first date. This style allows you to see how they fell in love with each other, but also showed the lack of foundation the ultimately doomed them.
Gosling as the devoted, hard working father is touching, Williams as the overworked mother who seems to be raising her husband along with her daughter is touching. The dynamic of goofy, doting father, and concerned, loving mother is brilliantly played, and creates some genuinely sweet and heartbreaking moments.
This is not an easy movie to watch. It's quite brutal emotionally at times. While it is artistically great, the story and the acting, it is a REAL downer… very depressing. So, be warned, this is NOT a date night movie. In fact the opposite is true. If you’re going with someone and would like to break-up, take him/her to see this film and you make get your wish by the time the movie is over.
Rated R on appeal for strong graphic sexual content, language, and a beating; originally rated NC-17 for a scene of explicit sexual content.
Clark
If you think of a relationship as having a life of its own, then Blue Valentine is that life at the moment of death where that life (from beginning to near end) flashes in front of your eyes. The film uses a combination of present time and flashback showing how these two people came together and how they inevitably fell apart. Ryan Gossling and Michelle Williams ( she was nominated for Oscar’s Best actress) are both superb in this film. He plays all the clumsy sweetness and frustration of Dean perfectly, and she plays the damaged and need to be loved with a quiet power that is absent from most performances today.
These are two people with a very romanticized view of love. They view it as something that is there or it isn't there. From their backgrounds it is obvious why. Neither of them has any exposure to a couple working at love and tending to the relationship. Things are good, then they aren't. Williams character says early on, "How can you trust your feelings when they can just disappear like that?" That is a question that has plagued people as long as there have been relationships. At some point your feelings will change and if you are unequipped to change and grow with them, then the relationship is probably destined to fail.
There are two stories here (falling in love and falling apart) told in intersecting circles. You see the beginning of the end, then you see how they meet, you see the relationship deteriorate further, then you see their amazing first date. This style allows you to see how they fell in love with each other, but also showed the lack of foundation the ultimately doomed them.
Gosling as the devoted, hard working father is touching, Williams as the overworked mother who seems to be raising her husband along with her daughter is touching. The dynamic of goofy, doting father, and concerned, loving mother is brilliantly played, and creates some genuinely sweet and heartbreaking moments.
This is not an easy movie to watch. It's quite brutal emotionally at times. While it is artistically great, the story and the acting, it is a REAL downer… very depressing. So, be warned, this is NOT a date night movie. In fact the opposite is true. If you’re going with someone and would like to break-up, take him/her to see this film and you make get your wish by the time the movie is over.
Rated R on appeal for strong graphic sexual content, language, and a beating; originally rated NC-17 for a scene of explicit sexual content.
Clark
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