Argo

Title: Argo
Playtime: 120 min
Genre: Drama History Thriller
Year: 2012

Sorry for taking so long on the update of this particular film. It has been "movie of today for 4 days in a row now. I'll try to find something special for tonight.

Argo tells the true story, (which of course makes it more exciting), of a secret covert operation in the 80's. The inhabitants of Iran are revolting and happens to take out its' anger upon the US government since they're providing sanctuary to Irans former dictator.
But what can a bunch of angry iranians do to USA without leaving their own lands?
Well.. for starters, they storm the US embassy in Iran and violently takes the ones working there as hostages to bargain for their former dictator with. Their whole objective is to get vengeance upon the old dictator by brutally murdering him publically. Basically, it's blood for blood.
Six americans working on the embassy manage to escape through a back-door, and seeks refuge at the canadian embassy. While they're safe for the moment, the Iranians are destined to find out that they're gone, and when they do that, it's only a matter of time before they'll get found.
Meanwhile, in the USA, people within the CIA are trying to figure out a way to get to the hostages and get them out. After denying all sorts of crazy plans, they eventually come up with one that's less crazier than the others. Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) is the man with the plan and he's destined to rescue these hostages in Iran, even if they themselves has doubts about the plan.
So will he successfully rescue all six americans hiding on Iran soil, or will the plan backfire?

Ben Affleck plays the role of Tony Mendez, the man in charge of the rescue-operation. He's a serious and cool character and does well with delivering a feeling of "realness" into the story. By "realness" I mean that it's much plausible that's how the real Tony Mendez acted back in the 80's.

It's a very thrilling and incredible story that one finds hard to believe, even though it's all based on true events.
I find these movies to be a very entertaining way to learn about history you won't read about in school.

I rate this film 7 out of 10.

Lawless

Title: Lawless
Playtime: 116 min
Genre: Crime Drama
Year: 2012

My friend watched this movie a few days ago and told me that it was worth watching. Since I hadn't found any other movie to see, I caved in to the suggestion. Naturally, I was also drawn to watch the film because of the many great actors starring in it.

The story revolves around the three Bondurant brothers, a family working in the illegal moonshining-business. Even though they make a living as criminals, the law in the small town they live in don't really bother. They sell their moonshine even to the cops thinking it's a win-win deal. But unfortunately for them, life doesn't stay peaceful for long when an out-of-towner Special Deputy arrives in town. Charles Rakes is looking for a way to gain profit from the Bondurant brothers business. He intends to do this by frightening the eldest brother in charge of it, Forrest Bondurant. Naturally, he doesn't respond to threats and challenges the deputy in the style of: "If you want to bring us down, come get it".
While there are three brothers, the movie focuses its' story around the youngest one, Jack Bondurant. Jack wants to prove himself worthy of contributing to more important tasks than just sweeping the floor at the station and wishes he could run the business on his own. At the same time he's a part-time criminal, he seeks the attention of the timid girl Bertha, whom is constantly under the watch of her christian father.
So the film constantly shifts between the happy sides of their business to the dark side of it. The most special thing about the story is that it's actually told from the criminals' perspective in a way that makes you sympathize them rather than feeling for Deputy Rakes who's on the "right" side of the law.
So whilst trying to monopolize their moonshine in town, they have to fight a war versus the corrupt deputy, whom is forcing the local officers to take his side, even though they rather wouldn't.
The lawless brothers or the corrupt law, whom will come out on top, and how high will the price be for victory?

Shia Labeouf is the youngest, most impulsive brother Jack and it's a role that suits him well. Just like in the Transformers films, he's close to powerless when it comes to action, but it's just as his older brother tells him:
"It is not the violence that sets men apart, alright, it is the distance that he is prepared to go. "
Another true thing about Shia Labeouf is that he's not "quite a hunk, not quite a nerd" as quoted by Homer Simpsons. Hollywood needs more of those actors.

Tom Hardy is the eldest brother Forrest, whom uses grunts and low but dark tunes when talking. It's amusing to see how well he's brought his character to life, especially when thinking that this movie is based on true events. Sadly, there were times when I heard the Bane-voice slipping out, but maybe that was just me.

Guy Pearce portrays the corrupt law-enforcer Charles Rakes and does a tremendous job in getting the audience to hate his guts. He's an annoying bastard who thinks he's above everyone and abuses his power to get what he wants. Well played Pearce, well played.

Interesting true story about the early 20th century in a small town somewhere in USA. Definately worth your time if you enjoy a good drama with an interesting story.

It gets the rating 7 out of 10.

Big Fish

Title: Big Fish
Playtime: 125 min
Genre: Adventure Drama Fantasy
Year: 2003

During my search for a new movie, I happened to stumble upon the title "Big Fish". I had never heard of this film before, and I did not know whether it would be great or incredibly bad. I knew nothing about it. After watching a trailer, I was intrigued since it seemed to be something more than your average drama. Before I knew it, I was caught by this heartwarming and funny story.

Big Fish is basically the story of many other stories, told by one man with a great imagination. This man, Ed Bloom has a son, which is told all kinds of amazing stories about his fathers adventures as a young man. All these stories seem wonderful and exciting to the son when he's a kid, but he grows bored of them over the years. His father tells them any chance he gets, but his son, Will Bloom is sick and tired of them, since he figures it's only fictional stories.
-So... what's so special about the stories?
Excellent question, I'll get to that. The story jumps back and fourth between Ed Blooms adventures as a youth, and "real life" where his son is destined to find out how his father really lived. The amusing part of the film, the tall tales, is filled with fantasy-contents such as giants, werewolves, witches and other supernatural things.
It's truly an inspirational and wonderful life-story in the style of "Forrest Gump", only it's tainted with imagination. But the only man who's not amused by these stories, Will Blooms, confronts his father about the storytelling. He wants to know what his father really did, instead of hearing some unbelievable tall tales. So he searches for the "truth" about his fathers life and gradually learns more about his dad and his stories.
Will Bloom soon learns that the line between facts and fiction is hard to identify and we ask ourselves the question: How much of the story is fabricated?

Ewan McGregor played the role as the Ed Bloom as he was displayed in the stories, and he certainly had the charm to portray that warm-hearted and naive adventurer. It wasn't until after the movie I realized that he played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the "new" Star Wars films. A great actor indeed.

Among the smaller roles, we saw Danny Devito and Steve Buscemi, both being great actors and they both had amusing roles in this movie. Devito as the greedy, but kind Circus-manager and Buscemi as a lost poet "trapped" in the town Spectre.

This movie was much better than I thought it would be and surprised me in many ways. The creative metaphores and cleverly built up "finale" at the end made it much more than just a funny drama. If I ever could cry while watching movies, I think I'd do it during this one.

I definately recommend that you watch this film if you like dramas, and even moreso if you enjoyed Forrest Gump.

I rate this movie 8/10

A fresh start

It's been quite some time since last time I wrote, even though I thought it would be my "grand return" to blogging about movies. So I came up with something new, fresher and funnier to spice up the blog a bit.
For the last couple of weeks, a friend of mine and I started to watch one film a day on a regular basis. We search for an interesting title and watch it simultaneously, and comment about it at Skype. It's just like watching a movie with your friend, except that we do it over the internet.
This "new and fresh" idea that I came up with isn't anything revolutionairy, but rather something that will make it easy for me to update, and at the same time make it easier for you, my readers to determine whether you'd like to watch the film or not.

I will add new tabs to the blog, containing "Todays movie" which will contain information about the film and why we're interested in watching it. If the movie is to your liking, you're much welcome to watch it "with" us.
Then afterwards, feel free to add a comment about your opinion of the film. It will help others finding a movie they'd enjoy.

So what about those longer reviews? Should I stop writing them?
Not necessarily. But I will save them for "honorable mentions", movies that are exellent or special somehow.

I'll really manage this time... I hope.

The Dark Knight Rises

Title: The Dark Knight Rises
Playtime: 164 min.
Genre: Action Drama Thriller
Release Date: 20 July 2012

As soon as TDKR-tickets were released for sale, I asked my friends in skype: "Who's up for some Batman?!" Most of them said yes. In a total we were eight mates taking up half of the 3rd row. Some may say that it's too close to the screen, but we fancy it's perfect. There's always a seat (since none picks them first) and you're several rows away from annoying little runts talking loudly during the film.
This is the sum of the feelings I had while watching TDKR, enjoy.

The 3rd installment of the Batman-trillogy begins 8 years after Batman defeated the Joker and thereby set Gotham free from organized crime. Bruce Wayne lives as an injured hermit in his great mansion, and batman is merely a legend of the past. Albert is concerned about him and asks him to take contact with the outside world again, not as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne.
When a new mastermind criminal enters Gotham and spreads his terror, Batman is forced to return. Bane spreads terror throughout the city and sets a plan in motion that would change Gotham forever. In addition to that, Batman faces a new masked vigilante, resembling catwoman (never referred to as in the film). In order to destroy Banes' plans, he must overcome his physical boundries and take help from a few old, aswell as new friends. The Batman-films have never been darker than this, and there are several parallels to draw from the film and real-life. After doing some research on the characters from the comic, I'd say that TDKR really gives the fanboys what they want. It's an interesting mix of new characters and old, portrayed by many great actors.
- So.. will The Joker reappear?
Unfortunately not. Christopher Nolan wants to honor Heath Ledgers memory by leaving The Joker where he belongs; In the 2nd movie.
There were a few complaints I had in mind though.. I really missed Batmans gadgets while fighting. Instead we got a boxing-match vs Bane. Good anyway, but not really Batman.

Christian Bale is the best Batman so far in my opinion, and he always delivers when it comes to an actionmovie. Nolan digs deeper than ever into Batmans' personality, and Bale does a great job portraying that. I love how they kept his dark voice and let him scream ferociously with it, in the fashion of "Where are the drugs going!?"

Tom Hardy as Bane.. I never knew while watching the film. He did a great job acting as a cool-headed criminal-boss that barely shows his face. It's amazing what the body language does to a character. Bane was an awesome villain, and I was pleasantly surprised. But.. the voice was.. comical.. and kinda disturbing.

The rest were also amazing as their characters; Morgan Freeman as Fox, Gary Oldman as Gordon, Joseph-Gordon Lewitt as Blake, Anne Hathaway as Selina (Truly surprised how well that went) and of course, let's not forget Michael Caine as Albert. Everybody loves Albert, and especially in this film.

This was truly a worthy ending of the Batman saga, and even though the end left a few hints of more to come, I'm satisfied even if that's the end of it. None can successfully remake this film during this century.
Anyone who has seen the Batman Begins and TDK should definately go see TDKR.

I rate this movie 9 out of 10.

God bless america

Title: God Bless America

Playtime: 105 min.
Genre: Comedy Crime.
Release Date: 6 April 2012

I know I've said it before, but here I go again. Another triumphant return to my blog lies before me as I've been asked to continue writing. I thought about it for a while, and then I decided it would fun to do something productive for once. When I started working, I made a pact with myself to start nourish my interest in films/movies (not sure which I prefer). Once a day, after working ever so hard, I downlo.. *cough* acquire a seemingly interesting movie. Today I'll be reviewing "God Bless America".

Frank is a middle-aged man who has yet to find his place in society. Everything in his life seems to be going to hell without him being able to fix it. He's divorced, his daughter resents him, and he hates his job. Frank spends most of his time in front of his television, channelsurfing in hope to find a program suitable for him. But he cannot find anything in his taste since it's American television, and Frank's an intelligent man who doesn't find joy in the humiliation of the "weaker".
- Then... why is he watching?

Oh, I forgot to tell you that one. Franks' neighbours recently got a baby that won't stop crying and the walls separating their homes are paper thin. This makes Frank unable to sleep at night, which, in turn, makes him watch the TV. Not only do the neighbours disturb his sleep, they are also very unfriendly.

So? let's get to the story!

Fair enough. Frank is informed by his doctor that he's terminally ill and has but weeks to live. Frank takes this very hard, and decides to take his own life. But the second before he shoots himself, he sees an ingrateful teenager yelling at her parents for not getting the right car on her "sweet sixteen". In the heat of the moment, Frank pulls away the gun and decides he will murder the young girl before killing himself.

After executing the girl, Frank is confronted by Roxy, a young girl who admires his doings. She persuades him to continue this killing-spree of people who are "unworthy" of living in this world - That is, they kill those annoying bastards we all hate! Just remember, it's with a comical touch, and we shouldn't get inspired by this movie, only amused.

Joel Murray is very convincing in his role as Frank. Even though he's a completely newcomer for me (Haven't seen him before), he really made an impression on me. Good ol' cranky man.

The movie was amusing, but not brilliant. It will make you laugh and think about the world we live in today, or perhaps you will just enjoy people being shot because they suck. I really don't have much more to add in this review, so it's up to you to decide whether it seems worthy of your time or not.

The rating for "God Bless America" is 6/10.

In time

Title: In Time
Playtime: 109 min.
Genre: Action Sci-fi.
Release Date: 28 October 2011

Ah! Finally the long-awaited return of my movie-blogging. It's been two whole months since I wrote my last post and published it. I understand clearly by now that I don't have many.. or any readers left, but that can always be rebuilt from scratch.

Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) lives in a future where biologic technology is so advanced that mankind is able to stop aging at 25, giving an eternal lifespan to those who can afford it.
The United States are divided into different time zones, each ranking its' financial situation, with a large slum in the bottom. I'd like to say that it's much alike the dystopian future seen in Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games.
- Hey, eternal life sounds great! ...but what's the catch?
Yes, with all scientific progress in movies, there always has to be a catch large enough to make the idea seem distant and scary.
   In this case, it's the fact that at age 25, a biological clock starts to ticking, and with a years time at hand, one might not think it's much of immortality. To keep on living, one has to work hard to earn their time, which also happens to be the currency used in this future - It really takes the term "Time is money" to the test.
Will Salas who happens to live in the slum discovers one day that the government is plotting against the whole population of the slum. "For a few immortals to live, many people must die."
With a few years at hand, and with the help of some new friends, he tries to overthrow the system and make it collapse completely with both his life and money at stake.
The only thing standing in his way is a stubborn time keeper destined to catch anyone messing with the system.

I've read many complaints about Justin Timberlake as an actor, but I don't quite understand what they're getting at. It seems the only argument they can find is "He's a musician, not an actor, DUUH", but I beg to differ. Justin Timberlake is funny, serious and is getting more popular in the movie-business than earlier.

Olivia Wilde is a talented actor who's made a real success in just a few years concidering she was basically unknown before joining the show House M.D.
That and because of her looks, it was funny to see that she only had a minor part as Will Salas mother, despite being younger than Justin Timberlake.

Amanda Seyfried is another young beauty climbing the steep Hollywood-steps, taking her higher and higher within the industry for every movie she makes. I know I'm not the best at reviewing actors and actresses, but I think she's certainly got talent.

Parts improving the movie:
1. The concept (Who doesn't love future-themes?)
2. All the characters (The Minutemen)
3. The "bad guy" wasn't really a bad guy, but more someone fighting for what he believes in.

The film was in its' way unique and very interesting in many ways. Some things that annoyed me though was the unconditional love that ALWAYS has to be in movies nowadays.
Those who enjoy future-themes or who are longing for the Hunger Games-movie should definately go see it.

This movie gets the rating 8 out of 10.

Being John Malkovich

Title: Being John Malkovich
Playtime: 112 min.
Genre: Comedy Drama.
Release Date: 22 October 1999.

The whole reason why I chose to watch a "random" movie from 1999 was because my philosophy-teacher recommended watching it before doing an assignment he gave us.
With a title I've never heard before, but with many famous actors, I had no expectations at all, and could only hope that the movie wasn't all trash.
So there I was, all bunkered up in my girlfriends basement with a soft blanket and some sourcream snacks!
We both had the same assignment, so why not watch it together and at the same time discuss about the films' philosophical questions.



Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is a failed puppeteer who's living an unexiting life with his wife Lotte Schwartz (Cameron Diaz), who happens to run a zoo, or something close to it.
With loads of animals living in their apartment, and the fact that Craig can't get a job as a puppeteer is very stressful for both of them, so Craig decides to get a new job.
He eventually finds himself working at an office with little space from floor to roof, located between the 7th and the 8th floor in a large building.
Away from his miserable home, he falls in love with a strange girl named Maxine (Catherine Keener) , who doesn't seem to pay much attention to her new fan.
It all becomes more complicated when Craig discovers a portal in his office, which leads directly into John Malkovichs' brain!
When being in Malkovichs' brain, you get to see, hear and experience everything he does for 15 minutes, before you're thrown out next to the highway.
Craig and Maxine becomes business-partners as they decide to merchendise the portal, offering people to become Malkovich for 15 mins at the price of 200 dollars.
Soon, they realise that he can be controlled if you just put your mind to it, creating a horrific experience for poor Malkovich, who doesn't have a clue of what's going on.
But what happens if John Malkovich himself finds out about everything and decides to travel through the portal to his own brain?


Cameron Diaz was nothing like her more recent roles, where she often plays a dumb bimbo or a beautiful woman. It took be about 15 mins to figure out that it was actually her in the movie, and I thought she did a great job portraying her character.


John Cusack... I remember him not being so good in "2012", and during the movie, I mistook him for Edward Norton several times (I guess they look alike).
Despite the fact that he made one half-bad movie, I must say he's a great actor, that can play a large variety of roles.


Lacking parts of the film:
1. If it's supposed to bring up some philosophy, they could've gone further.
2. I hate to say this, but old movies have their disadvantages today. The quality was poor and the picture dark.
3. Weird sudden love interests? Even though it made the movie flowing.


It's a very unique film and least said amusing. I would recommend it to people who can take a mind-blow and enjoy the same type of weird and "derpy" humor as I.


This movie gets the rating 6 out of 10.

Cowboys & Aliens

Title: Cowboys & Aliens.
Playtime: 118 min.
Genre: Action Sci-Fi.
Release Date: 29 July 2011.

By reading my blog, I think that you're starting to believe that I'm a regular customer at the cinema, but that's not the case, you s... Okay, that's exactly the case, I really enjoy going to the cinema with either friends or my girlfriend.
I try not to waste away too much money there by only going to the bigger movies and by not watching any swedish films at all... at least not at the cinema. (I have a thing against them.)
Anyway, this time I went with my girlfriend, since it was only fair that she, instead of the guys, enjoyed my company for a change.
Dispite having its' grand premier in Sweden, there we're large gaping holes in the audience. I guess that's how it's like when you live in a town like Sundsvall... it can't be alive everywhere at the same time.
Despite the lack of audience, I found the experience none the same as any other film.

Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) wakes up in the middle of the desert, with a large number of bruises and a metal object stuck to his wrist. After numerous failed attempts to remove it, he *cough* get's a horse and rides away.
He does not remember anything about himself that has happened, and wanders into a small town, unknowing of his past.
There, he interacts with people in both peaceful and violent ways, depending on who started the interaction. Soon, Jake Lonergan finds out he's a wanted man in the states and that a mysterious woman named Ella Swenson (Olivia Wilde) seems to be interested about his past.
A cranky old cattle owner, Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) causes some ruckus in the town after hearing that his son has been held prisoner without Woodrow being told about it.
In the middle of everything, some large lights appear in the sky, causing everyone to go silent and wonder what it might be. Before they can react, their whole town has been bombed to dust by some alien lifeforms in large ships.
Now, all seperate factions have to unite to get revenge upon the aliens and restore peace to their lands.
The only questions are... How will they defeat them and why are they here in the first place? Will Jake ever learn the truth about his past?

For some reason, I think it's entertaining with tough elder men being the protagonist. It sort of makes them more vulnerable and weary instead of being some kind of human meat-machine that never stops.
Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig are examples of this type of character. In the movie, they're both careless of their actions, while displaying a bad-ass attitude.

Olivia Wilde is probably as successful as she is because of 3 different factors:
1: She's in House.
2: She has the looks ;)
3: To be fair, she's not a bad actor.
I also enjoy her action, and she doesn't act as most of the female actors, being just a normal girl living a normal life. Her characters are always sort of mysterious and clever in some ways.
I haven't seen Tron yet, but I'm guessing she's doing well there as well.

Things out of the ordinairy:
The ending wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.
The intense action mixed with humorous moments <---Now that's all a good movie needs.
Cowboys and Aliens, duuuh?

I did not expect seing scary-looking aliens. (Same goes for the one sitting in front of me.. I Could have swore it was Michael Fox at some points.) ;P

I think the movie is very unique with its' story and I enjoyed almost every part of it. There were some times when you just thought: "Oh no.. here comes the predictable part", but it wasn't so often.
I read that some reviewer thought the aliens ruined a good western-film... I think he should go home and watch his classic Clint Eastwood-films and cry about the new era of movies.

This movie gets the rating 7 out of 10.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Title: Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Playtime: 105 min.

Genre: Action Drama Sci-Fi.

Release Date: 5 August 2011

Yet another Hollywood movie has had its' grand opening, with all its' glory and fame, plus the loads of cash that comes with it.
Starring actors arrive one-by one at the red carpet, eager to see the result of their hard work, not only in front of the camera, but also every challenge they've had to face on the way. Getting into shape, learning to know your character, and interracting with new people.
They sit there, waiting for the crowds' praise and the critics' approval while watching themselves act in front of greenscreens or through take 21 in that funny scene they never nailed.
I could go on writing about my dream-job forever, but I'm not that certain I'll experience it some day...
Enough of my sad hopes and dreams, I have a movie to review, and hopefully, you're waiting to read it!

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (RPA from now on, the swedish title "Planet of the Apes: (R)evolution" was more fitting) is supposed to be a prequel to the classic film Planet of the Apes.
It's a story about the fall of human and the rise of apes, and gives the audience a whole new perspective on how it all happened.
Admit it, all you knew about the old movie was that some intelligent apes had taken over the planet after the human race somehow went near-extinct. Kind of diffuse information you haven't had confirmed.
Anyway, as the movie begins, we're thrown into the jungle somewhere around Africa (I presume), and the hunt for primates has just started.
Some apes are caught and brought in to a lab, where they will be test-subjects for an experimental drug called ALZ-112. This very drug has been created by Will Rodman (James Franco) as a cure for alzheimer's patients, and amongst them, his own father.
Some things (I don't want to spoil the movie) go wrong and the project is being cancelled while Will Rodman is threatened to be fired.
Will aquires a baby ape, the only to survive after the lab-shutdown, and notices how fast the primate is developing intellectually. Will and his father decides to name him Caesar, after the roman emperor.
A drama sequence begins where we see how Will is teaching the ape sign language, taking IQ-tests of it, and letting him climb freely in the redwood park.
There's a very beautiful timeskip of 5 years, and the ape is now fully-grown and full of energy and power.
An accident causes the ape to be locked away with other primates in chance that he will calm down and get to know his fellow kind.
Caesar quickly grows from being the bullied one with few friends to a respected leader amongst the primates. He does this with his cunning intelligence and the respect from a few apes. The longer Caesar is imprisoned, the madder he becomes at Will and the rest of the human race.
An adding factor to this is the pranking punk Dodge Landon, displayed by none other than Tom Felton. (Oh yes, it's Malfoy).
How will Caesar react to his treatment? and will the drug enhance the human braincells as it did to the apes?

James Franco is an actor rapidly growing on me, and I've come to respect him as an outstanding actor. I really like how he's not the typical actor, who can only play the same role in every movie.
I hope I'll see him in other grand films in the future.

Tom Felton... may the gods take him, he's easy to hate. To not get misunderstood, I don't hate the actor, but every part he plays, as a punk who has a nasty habit of teasing everyone. I think he plays that role very well, but as I believe that's all there is to him.

I really enjoyed some "hidden" references in the movie, (e.g. have in mind that Caesar is played by the same actor as the one playing Gollum in Lord of the Rings).
A certain crew missing in space is also mentioned throughout the film.

Moments not quite in my taste:
The stupidity of humans.
Not as much action as one could hope.

Best Quote: NOOOOO!

I think this is a well-worthy sequel to the Planet of the Apes films, and it contained everything to make it clear how the first movie started and everything between it.

This movie gets the rating 8 out of 10.