movies I've seen recently...
Monster House (2006) B-
"Monster House" is a little bit different than most CGI animated movies. While it is targeted for a young audience, there are some genuine scary moments on the screen that might be a little too much for the younglings. The story and characters are actually quite good, about some kids who are trying to stop the threat of a haunted house. While the story is very enjoyable, there are several plot holes and cliches that can ruin the overall fun from an older audience's perspective. Despite the flaws, this movie is just a fun watch overall.
Hollywoodland (2006) B
A film noirish type movie, "Hollywoodland" is a dense drama. Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) is investigating as to whether Superman actor George Reeves (Ben Affleck) did in fact commit suicide, or whether he was murdered. Using a series of flashbacks, we look into Reeves' life and the people around him that might have been involved with his death. In the present time, Simo is finding out that his investigation is actually causing him more problems personally and professionally. Adrien Brody does a great job as a troubled man investigating a troubled case, Ben Affleck is very good in his portrayal of George Reeves, and Diane Lane is excellent in her role as an aging love interest for Reeves. "Hollywoodland" is a very slow moving film, but the mystery is quite intriguing.
Infernal Affairs (2002) B
A lot of great crime dramas are coming from Asia, and "Infernal Affairs" is one of the really good ones. This is about a police officer who goes undercover as a mobster, and a mobster who goes undercover as a police officer. For years these two men have to live a double life, but are they still able to retain their "true self?" The movie goes trough a series of intense moments when one or the other is in danger of getting their true identity exposed, and several of those very memorable moments are a joy to watch. There are some plot holes and story elements that bring the overall movie down a bit though, but the characters and the actors who portray them shine all the way through. Big kudos to Eric Tsang as Sam the mob boss, Tony Leung Chiu Wai as Yan the undercover cop, Andy Lau as Lau Kin Ming the undercover mobster, and Anthony Wong Chau-Sang as SP Wong. I just wished more of the plot and characters were more fleshed out, but this was a very memorable film overall.
the Departed (2006) A
"The Departed" is in fact a remake of "Infernal Affairs" (see above). While there's a bit of a bad stigma when it comes to remakes, this one is directed by the great Martin Scorsese. Being that I've seen both the original and the remake, I would have to say that "the Departed" is honestly a better movie overall than "Infernal Affairs." It's like Scorsese took everything that's good about "Infernal Affairs" and made it better, while leaving out the flaws from it. The characters and stories are more fleshed out, and the changes made were all for the better (helped by the additional hour added to the original's length). The movie is further enhanced by the rich characters and the actors who portray them. Jack Nicholson makes one of his most memorable works in recent history as Frank Costello, who is very cutthroat as the mob boss. Leonardo DiCaprio furthers shows us that he is in fact a serious actor with his troubled and frustrated undercover cop, who just wants to get out and live a normal life. Matt Damon also shows great talent as the very confident undercover mobster, who finally hits a snag when he realizes that his double identity might be jeopardized, not to mention the comfort in life that he has right now. "The Departed" is a modern great crime drama that is not to be missed.
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