August 14, 2007

• movies I've seen recently...

  
  Stardust  (2007)  A-

  If you like movies like "the Princess Bride" or "the Never
  Ending Story," then do yourself a favor and watch "Stardust." Writer Neil Gaiman, with screenplay and directing from Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn respectively, have produced a very entertaining fantasy film, the likes that we hardly ever see anymore. It's got a great mix of comedy, adventure, action, and romance, amid it's very hard to explain plot.

  The story follows Tristran (Charlie Cox) who crosses over to a magical land, in order to take a fallen star (Claire Danes) back to the human world. Before he could achieve that goal however, the two of them encounter a huge cast of memorable characters, from a witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) who wants to take the heart of the fallen star for immortality, a prince (Mark Strong) who isn't above killing his own brothers for the chance to be king of the land, and a cross dressing sky captain memorably played by Robert De Niro. The all star cast includes Sienna Miller, Rupert Everett, Peter O'Toole, Ricky Gervais, and many more.

  To put it simply, this movie was magical. I had a smile throughout the
  whole film, and I still did hours after seeing it.
  Stardust will probably end up as one of my top three favorite summer
  movies of 2007, which was not what I was expecting to happen before
  seeing it. As a fan of Neil Gaiman's work already, I'm surprised that I never did
  pick up this book of his before, but after seeing this movie
  adaptation, I'll be purchasing it from the book store very very soon.

  
  Live Free or Die Hard  (2007)  B+

  Bruce Willis is back as John McClane, in what is probably the best sequel in the Die Hard franchise. "Live Free or Die Hard" is an action movie through and through, with the excitement happening pretty much everytime. The series is known for McClane going through very many dillemas that are pretty much in the theme of "out of the frying pan, and into the fire," and this movie is no different. If anything else, this is John McClane's toughest assignment yet, being an "analog man" fighting a terrorist group that's very much in the "digital age." From computer hacking, to fancy cellphones, and even "free running" bad guys, John McClane has a lot to deal with that he doesn't understand. However, with the country on the line; as well as his daughter as played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, McClane is like the energizer bunny that will keep going and going until the bad guys are elliminated.

  This time around, John McClane is joined by Justin Long's character, as the guy who has to explain to him all the computer jargon. Kevin Smith also makes an appearance as a memorable computer whiz who comes to their aid. Against a hot ass kicking Asian baddie played by Maggie Q, and the high tech mastermind played by Timothy Olyphant, John McClane needs all the help he can get. However like most Die Hard movies, help is always at a mininum with him needing to take care of things himself. Sure, several of the action sequences requires us to keep a high suspension of disbelief, but wow is this movie a fun thril ride. "Live Free or Die Hard" is probably one of the best action movies of the summer, and dare I say even better than Transformers.

  • 10:26 am
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