"Premium Rush" Movie Review

"Premium Rush" movie poster.

"Among the bike couriers in New York City, no one is more determined and reckless than Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an ex-law student more comfortable on his brakeless bike than in a suit. One day, a Chinese foreign student named Nima (Jamie Chung) arranges for him to deliver a vital envelope across the city. Unfortunately, a crooked cop, Det. Robert Monday (Michael Shannon), has a desperate need for that envelope himself and won't take 'No' for an answer. Now, Wilee finds himself relentlessly pursued by Monday and others in a situation becoming more complicated and dangerous by the minute. Together with his friends and rivals, Wilee must discover the secret of this dangerous delivery and make it through a gauntlet that will require all his cunning, daring and courage to survive." Written by Kenneth Chisholm (Source below.)

Dania Ramirez.

Directed and written by David Koepp ("Angels & Demons", "Secret Window") and cowritten by John Kamps ("Ghost Town", "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie"). The movie stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("Inception", "Looper"), Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road", "Jonah Hex"), Dania Ramirez ("X-Men: The Last Stand", "The 25th Hour"), Jamie Chung ("Sucker Punch", "The Man With the Iron Fists"), Wole Parks ("As The World Turns", "Law & Order"), and Christopher Place ("My Soul to Take", "Step Up 3D").

When I saw advertisements for this movie a while ago, I was a bit skeptical. Like "how will that be even remotely realistic?", "why isn't Lance Armstrong in this movie?" or "will Joseph Gordon-Levitt take off his shirt since he seems to have built muscles for this role?" But I digress. 

Jamie Chung.

"Premium Rush" isn't your usual action movie. For example: a gun is only fired once, explosions involve a cyclist running into a trash can, and car accidents are more realistic - broken windows and fender benders. 

I liked the setting, New York City is an excellent place. I think they got the frenetic pacing of the city just right. It was very interesting how you saw everything from the biker's perspective, including the GPS navigational system, how they knew which way to go, and how they basically survive delivering other people's stuff for fifty dollars. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (L) and Michael Shannon.

It was also interesting that they brought these three massive groups of people together and you saw a possibility of what could happen. Those three groups being the police, the bikers, and the chinese underworld. This is a city teeming with people and these groups of people are still so tight-knit. 

This movie rocks, it is very exciting and the characters are fully formed. I still can't give it 5 out of 5, only because there was a very simple solution to the one character's problems. All she had to do was tell her roommate about the issue and they could've gone together and probably would've done it for free. And there was one other problem: the ending was a bit like a Disney film, but I did like seeing the bad guy get his. But still an excellent and short movie, if you're just looking for a fun night in.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 typewriters.

Sources: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1547234/.

Also, this official "training" featurette from the movie provided by ClevverMovies:

"Skyfall" Movie Review

"Skyfall" movie poster.

"Bond's (Daniel Craig) mission is to keep a computer drive that has a list of British agents from being used against them. He chases the man who has it and they have a brawl on top of a train. Eve (Naomie Harris), an agent sent to assist Bond has them in her cross hairs but hesitates to take the shot because she might hit Bond but M (Judi Dench) orders her to take it. She does, and hits Bond who falls into the river and is believed to be dead. A few months later, the British government is upset with MI6 for losing the list; specifically with M. She is told that she'll be allowed to retire but she refuses to leave till the matter is resolved. So she returns to HQ to work on it but as she arrives, there's an explosion. In the meantime, Bond, who is not dead, has been laying low. When he learns of what happened, he returns. And M tasks him with finding the one who has the information. He eventually learns that the man who has it (Javier Bardem), is someone from M's past and who has it in for her." Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com (Link below.)

Directed by Sam Mendes ("Revolutionary Road", "Road to Perdition", "American Beauty") with a screenplay by Neal Purvis ("Quantum of Solace", "Casino Royale"), Robert Wade ("Return to Sender", "Die Another Day"), and John Logan ("The Last Samurai", "The Aviator", "Rango", "Coriolanus") with characters created by Ian Fleming. The screenplay is apparently available here.

Again, I thank SourceFed for its review:

Naomie Harris as "Eve".

That flashlight thing was a problem for me as well.

There is an amazing cast in this film; not only do we have the leads but also: Ben Whishaw as Q, also in "Cloud Atlas", Berenice Marlohe as Severine, Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory, Rory Kinnear as Tanner, M's personal assistant, and Albert Finney as Kincade, who I last saw as a part of "Big Fish".

Javier Bardem as "Silva".

To paraphrase Philip DeFranco: "A man so evil, he turned Javier Bardem's hair blonde."Bardem was an excellent bad guy, even if his reasoning for doing bad guy things wasn't all there. When he was getting frisky with Bond, I kept wanting to laugh; I was thinking, "I can't blame him - have you seen Daniel Craig!" Though many people I know thought the scene was awkward.

The intro was pretty cool with an awesome song that features the crooning voice of Adele and made me feel like I was going through a weird acid trip. I understand that this is the way most, if not all of the Bond films begin. This is the first time I have actually sat through one of these movies. So bare with me.

Berenice Marlohe as "Severine".

I also liked the nods to past Bond films; I understood what and when those moments were happening, but just couldn't place which exact film it was. Oh, Bond movies, how you have shaped cinema forever.

Ben Whishaw as "Q".

I couldn't help but feel a bit chagrined towards critics throughout many of scenes featuring dialogue, because they complained that "The Avengers" was full of quips, yet many are raving that this may be one of the best Bond films to date and all the dialogue was was quips. I don't understand you critic people.

I enjoyed this film and particularly loved the ending and explosions and am actually considering watching more Bond movies. 

I give this movie 4 out of 5 typewriters.

Sources: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF8KcpeOPKc.

"Men In Black 3" Movie Review

"Men in Black 3" movie poster.

"An alien criminal named Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) kills the young Agent K in 1969, altering the timeline, changing the Agency and placing the Earth in danger. Veteran Agent J (Will Smith) must travel back in time to 1969 to before the murder and work with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save him, the Agency, the Earth and humanity itself." Written by Anonymous (Link below.)

I had a tremendous time at the movie theater with this one. Although now I have that new Pitbull song stuck in my head. Oh well. It's entirely possible that the buzz around the internet that this movie may be the best in the trilogy that is the "Men In Black" franchise may actually be true.

Jemaine Clement.

Josh Brolin is every bit as good an impersonator of Tommy Lee Jones as everyone on the web has been stating. He was amazing and very believable as a younger version of Mr. Jones. Speaking of Mr. Jones, he seemed very covered with a veritable mask of makeup in this movie. It was very disconcerting.

Josh Brolin (L) and Will Smith.

I thought that some of the best acting wasn't just from Josh Brolin, but also from Jemaine Clement who played Boris the Animal. I didn't realize until I looked him up that that is the same guy from "The Flight of the Conchords" and, I think, the same guy who narrates the Outback Steakhouse restaurant commercials. 

Emma Thompson and her lovely coif.

Her part was kind of small, but I love Emma Thompson, who plays Agent O, a love interest of Agent K. I don't just love her for her accent either, even if that high class British accent of hers does get me randy. Her hair was amazing in this film! Whoever did her hair should be commended. However, if that is the same person who did Mr. Jones 'makeup mask' it might be one of those things where they are only great every once in a while.

Will Smith astride a largely
disappointing 'space bike'.

There was a lot of stuff missing from the movie that was in the trailers though. I'm not sure if I have a problem with that because a lot of it seemed like excess material. The only thing that I had a real problem with were those space bikes. They looked awesome, but they couldn't beat a regular motorcycle on the freeway. That's the kind of disappointing and pompous computer generated effects that action movies need to stay away from unless the thing actually is astounding. 

Oh, the 3D wasn't necessary at all and there weren't that many scenes where it would've increased the enjoyment of the film.

I enjoyed it, but I kind of hope that that is the end of this series. Hollywood needs to get over its 'sequelitis' that it is making everyone suffer from. 

I give this movie a 4 out of 5. 

Favorite Lines:

(L to R) Josh Brolin as Young Agent K, Michael Sthulbarg
as Griffin, and Will Smith as Agent J.

Agent J: I'm looking for K, have you seen him? Sort of a surly, older gentleman, smiles like this... 

[J makes a poker face] 

O: K's been dead for over forty years.

Agent J: All right, pay attention... 

[neuralyzes a crowd] 

Agent J: Okay. You know how you kids won the goldfish in that little baggy at the school fair, and you didn't want that nasty thing in your house so you flushed it down the toilet? Well, this's what happened... 

[points to an alien fish being towed away] 

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1409024/

P. S. I want to watch the first "Men In Black" movie, but I am afraid that, because technological use in the movies has gotten so good over the years that I won't be able to appreciate this first movie. When I was younger I thought it was so awesome. I don't want to ruin it for myself. Oh, dilemmas.

"Magic Mike" Movie Review

"Magic Mike" movie poster.

"When your life is a fantasy, how do you deal with reality?

"As a male stripper, Magic Mike (Channing Tatum) has everything he could ever want: parties that last all night, hot girls and superfluous money. He takes a younger performer (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing, teaching him the ropes on how to be the best. As he keeps at the top of the game in the clubs, Mike struggles with trying to develop a relationship with a girl (Cody Horn) he really likes. Will he have to choose between his dream world and real life?

"The dramatic comedy screenplay was inspired by Tatum's work as a 19-year-old stripper before he made it in Hollywood." (Link below.)

Alex Pettyfer (L) and Matthew MacConaughey.

It also stars Matthew MacConaughey, Olivia Munn, James Martin Kelly, Reid Carolin, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, and Adam Rodriguez. It's a nice coming-of-ageish story of a really handsome thirty-year-old male stripper. Sounds like my kind of a movie!

It's about freaking time they came out with a movie like this! For the record, when my friend and I got to the theatre, there were only two men in the audience and they weren't gay, just hangin' with their wives. 

Channing Tatum.

Anyway, I thought it was really funny and I enjoyed it a lot more than I had expected to. Each of the men got their own dance, which is only fair for everyone. Channing Tatum was the best at it though. There were a lot more boobs than I expected to see, but like every woman there I had only one thing on my mind. And no offense to Cody Horn, but she looks wierd and I don't find her attractive. I thought she was very distracting. And I didn't like the way her mouth curled every time she said something. I just thought they could've gotten someone better for that part.

I would recommend this movie to everyone - even straight men and lesbian women, because there is something for everyone on it. There's even a fight scene! It must've been very awkward to film, because two of the people in the fight were only wearing a belt and thong. A lovely film for the times and very enjoyable.

Script available here: http://www.4shared.com/office/aYBCVFDM/Magic_Mike__aka_Untitled_Steve.html.

(L to R) Alex Pettyfer, Matthew MacConaughey,
and Channing Tatum.

Favorite Lines: 

Mike Martingano: [dressed as a police officer] Good evening. You live here? 

Kim: Yeah. 

Mike Martingano: Yeah? What's your name? 

Kim: Kim. 

Mike Martingano: Kim, can you move back for me, please? 

[enters house full of women] 

Mike Martingano: We keep getting complaints about noise and underage drinking. Everybody sit down, we're gonna be here for a while! You don't have anything sharp on you that I can stick myself with, do you? 

Kim: No. 

Mike Martingano: Good. 'Cause I do! 

[rips off pants, women scream] 

Dallas: [to Mike] You are the husband they never had! You are that dreamboat guy that never came along! 

Dallas: Fact is, the law says you cannot touch! 

[smiles] 

Dallas: But I think I see a lotta lawbreakers up in this house tonight... 

Mike Martingano: How pregnant did you get that girl's mouth last night?

Dallas: Will you welcome to the stage, the one, the only... Magic Mike!

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1915581/synopsis.

"Brave" Movie Review

"Brave" movie poster.

"Set in Scotland in a rugged and mythical time, "Brave" features Merida, an aspiring archer and impetuous daughter of royalty. Merida makes a reckless choice that unleashes unintended peril and forces her to spring into action to set things right." Written by Walt Disney Pictures (Link below.)

I saw this movie in a little theater quite close to my house and it was slightly cheaper than at the mainstream theaters. Candy was a dollar or less. Anyway, I'm glad I saw it with my mother because it's a growing-up tale with strong family values tied to it. Merida needs to repair her relations to her mother, Queen Elinor, voiced by the incomparable Emma Thompson, but I won't spoil it by saying what happens as it would ruin the whole movie for anyone who hasn't watched it yet.

Queen Elinor (voiced by Emma Thompson)
and Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald).

It featured the vocal the vocal talents of Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Kelly Macdonald (Helena Ravenclaw!), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid!), and tv personality Craig Ferguson. I feel like such a happy nerd! I love all of these people!

It was very funny and I enjoyed it. The animation was beautiful. There must've been ten people just to work on Merida's hair! I don't know if this Pixar film will garner any big name awards *cough* Oscars *cough*, but it was very good and a delightful film. 

Favorite Lines:

Princess Merida: I want my freedom! 

Queen Elinor: But are you willing to pay the price your freedom will cost?

An image from the movie "Brave".

King Fergus: [from trailer] The ancients spoke of it. It is the heart of this fierce land. it is carried in the wind. Born of our legends and when we are put to the test, it is the one thing that we must always be.

King Fergus: [in flashback] I saw something that day, something I'll not forget. It stands 12 feet tall, with razor sharp claws. Its hide littered with the weapons of fallen warriors. Its face scared with one dead eye. I drew my sword and... 

[cut to the present] 

Princess Merida: CHOMP! Dad's leg was clean off! 

King Fergus: Awwwwww... That's my favorite part! 

[Merida giggles] 

King Fergus: Pretend I'm Merida, speak to me. 

King Fergus: [shrilly voice] I don't want to get married, I want to stay single and let my hair flow in the wind as I ride through the glen firing arrows into the sunset. 

Princess Merida: Mom, you'll never guess what I did, today! 

Queen Elinor: What's that dear? 

Princess Merida: I climbed up the Crown's Tooth and drank from the fire falls. 

[Hamish, Hubert and Harris look at her in awe] 

King Fergus: Did you, now? They say only the Ancient Kings were brave enough to drink the fire. 

Princess Merida: [Merida giggles and wrinkles her nose at Fergus]

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217209/

"The Basketball Diaries" Movie Review

"The Basketball Diaries"
movie poster.

"Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's (Leonardo DiCaprio) epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction. As a member of a seemingly unbeatable high school basketball squad, Jim's life centers around the basketball court and the court becomes a metaphor for the world in his mind. A best friend (Michael Imperioli) who is dying of leukemia, a coach ("Swifty"), played byBruno Kirby, who takes unacceptable liberties with the boys on his team, teenage sexual angst, and an unhealthy appetite for heroin -- all of these begin to encroach on young Jim's dream of becoming a basketball star. Soon, the dark streets of New York become a refuge from his mother's (Lorraine Bracco) mounting concern for her son. He can't go home and his only escape from the reality of the streets is heroin for which he steals, robs and prostitutes himself. Only with the help of Reggie (Ernie Hudson), an older neighborhood friend with whom Jim "picked up a game" now and then, is he able to begin the long journey back to sanity." Written by Mark Fleetwood (Link below.)

Leonardo DiCaprio (L)
and Ernie Hudson.

This movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Bruno Kirby, Ernie Hudson, andLorraine Bracco as Jim Carroll's mother. I think everyone did an extraordinary job in their parts. I like how the movie was more realistic, it wasn't about how cool the drugged up scenes looked, but more about how screwed up he got.

Leonardo DiCaprio (L)
and Mark Wahlberg.

I really enjoyed this movie. I would love to read the book. It was sad, but very interesting and ultimately rewarding. If they showed dirtier movies like this in high schools, a lot more people wouldn't do drugs. I doubt too many would want to prostitute themselves just to get a high, if people realized that's what they might become if they start. Or maybe they would do it for a while and then realize something was wrong before it got real bad. Here's to hoping. 

But anyway, I recommend this movie as a coming of age story and for those who are aficionados of Leonardo DiCaprio's career. A very good performance by him in this film. Very promising actor, as we all know now.

Favorite Lines:

Jim Carroll: [Is continuously getting hit by the Father's cane. The bell rings and the Father stops hitting him] Too bad, Father. I was just beginning to enjoy it. 

Father McNulty: We can do it again tomorrow if you like, Mr. Carroll.

Juliette Lewis (L) and
Leonardo DiCaprio.

Jim Carroll: First, it's a Saturday night thing when you feel cool like a gangster or a rockstar- just something to kill the boredom, you know? They call it a chippie, a small habit. It feels so good, you start doing it on Tuesdays... then Thursdays... then it's got you. Every wise ass punk on the block says it won't happen to them, but it does. 

Jim's Mother: Idle time is the devil's play thing.

Reggie Porter: Hey white boy! Are you ready for your beatin'? 

Jim Carroll: Don't let your mouth get you into something your ass can't handle. 

Jim Carroll: Time sure flies when you're young and jerking off. 

Jim Carroll: You're growing up. And rain sort of remains on the branches of a tree that will someday rule the Earth. And it's good that there is rain. It clears the month of your sorry rainbow expressions, and it clears the streets of the silent armies... so we can dance.

Leonardo DiCaprio
as Jim Carroll.

Jim Carroll: Just my own naked self and the stars breathing down, it's beautiful. 

Jim Carroll: I felt dazed, like I just came out of a 4 hour movie I didn't understand. 

Jim Carroll: You gotta have presence on the court. Presence like a cheetah rather than a chimp. Sure, they both got it, but Chimpy gotta jump his nuts around to get it. The shy cheetah moves with total nonchalance, stickin' it to them in his sexy, slow strut. Me? I play like a cheetah.

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112461/plotsummary.

"Body of Lies" Movie Review

"Body of Lies" movie poster.

"Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a CIA operative in the Middle East; Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe) is his control at Langley. Cynicism is everywhere. In Amman, Roger works with Hani Salaam (Mark Strong), Jordan's head of security, whose only dictum is "Don't lie to me." The Americans are in pursuit of a cleric, Al-Saleem, (Alon Aboutboul) who leads a group placing bombs all over Europe. When Hani rebukes Ed's demand that Jordan allow the Americans to use one of Jordan's double agents, Roger and Ed hatch a plan to bring the cleric to them. The plan involves implicating an innocent Dubai-based architect named Omar Sadiki (Ali Suliman) as a rival terrorist, but the plan is complicated by its being a secret from Hani and by Roger's attraction to a local nurse, Aisha (Golshifteh Farahani). Satellites and cell phones, bodies and lies: modern warfare." Written by jhailey@hotmail.com

(Link below.)

A Ridley Scott film of 2008 with screenplay by William Monahan, based on the book of the same title by David Ignatius. It is kind of a cut and dry story as far as CIA operative spy thriller movies are concerned. But it is enjoyable and has a political message that still has relevance to today's society.

Script can be downloaded here:
http://www.screenplaydb.com/film/scripts/bodyoflies20070921/.

Mark Strong.

The cast also consisted of Oscar Isaac and Simon McBurney. Nobody's acting was particularly strong, but everyone was very good as their characters. Mark Strong was sultry and sexy as Hani Salaam. I felt so bad for Omar Sadiki - poor bastard.

*SPOILER ALERT* I'm still a little confused about the ending, what did Hani tell Aisha that would make it hard for Ferris to earn her love? And is Ferris fired?

Golshifteh Farahani.

I'm going to read the book in the hopes that it clears most of this up. But I have heard that the movie is actually better than the book and it doesn't have all of the same characters. I have also heard that the book has a kick-ass ending though, so hoping for the best. (Book review here.)

Favorite Lines:

[first lines] 

Title Card: I and the public know what all schoolchildren learn, those to whom evil is done, do evil in return. - W.H. Auden

Roger Ferris: [having cell phone conversation] You know what? I've had it. I've had it. I can't do this anymore.

Ed Hoffman: Yes, you can. Now, you just get yourself a couple of hours' sleep. And you call me when you're thinking straight. 

Roger Ferris: You know what? I am thinking straight. You're not, all right? You can't, because you're a million fucking miles away. I'm here, Ed, every day. And I see the unnecessary travesties of this war... that the rest of you backstabbing political fucking bureaucrats... only look at pictures of. So don't you dare tell me I am not thinking straight! This is not working, all right? It's not working, I'm out. 

Ed Hoffman: Ferris? Ferris? 

[phone disconnects] 

Ed Hoffman: I should pack.

Russell Crowe (L) and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Hani: And so we throw him back into the sea to swim where he naturally swims, to learn what he naturally learns. We'll see how long he remembers my benevolence. 

Roger Ferris: What if he forgets? 

Hani: If he forgets, I remind him that I have the power of life and death over him. Because you see, any time I wish, I can let them know he works for me.

Roger Ferris: I thought you didn't believe in torture, Hani Pasha. 

Hani: This is punishment, my dear. It's a very different thing. 

Mark Strong (L) and Leonardo DiCaprio.

[Nizar refuses to come to them and Bassam has to leave the car to fetch him] 

Bassam: Hey hey, listen to me. I'm not getting my head cut off on the Internet, alright? No. If something happens, shoot me. Will you shoot me? 

Roger Ferris: Fuck that shit, I will shoot you right now. 

Bassam: I'm not kidding. 

Roger Ferris: Quit being a pussy.

Garland: ...and a list of emails for the Brothers of Awareness. 

Roger Ferris: The Brothers of who the fuck?

Ed Hoffman: Nobody's innocent in this shit.

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758774/plotsummary.

"The Man in the Iron Mask" Movie Review

"The Man in the Iron Mask"

movie poster.

"In 1638 Queen Anne of France (Anne Parillaud) gives birth to a boy, who will inherit the throne one day. But, only known to few, there is a twin brother born minutes later. 22 years later, King Louis XIV (Leonardo DiCaprio) rules the country of France, but due to his lifestyle and the costs of war, people are forced to suffer hunger and poverty. Of the Musketeers, who had served his father Louis XIII faithfully, only one is still on the king's side: D'Artagnan (Gabriel Byrne), the Capitain of the king's guards. His three companions Aramis (Jeremy Irons), Athos (John Malkovich) and Porthos (Gerard Depardieu) have retired into civil life long ago. One day on a royal party, the young and unliked king gets a crush on Christine (Judith Godreche). This young lady is the fiancé of soldier Raoul (Peter Sarsgaard), the son of Athos. Without further ado, the king has Raoul recruited and sent to war, so that he himself can take care of her. Soon Raoul dies in combat and the king has him out of the way. But Athos, Aramis and Porthos think of a plan to take revenge on the king. Aramis points out that there is a man in an iron mask in a very secure prison, and that this man's existance can solve all present problems. So they free the king's hidden twin brother (also Leonardo DiCaprio), and tell him who he is, as he of course feels free of guilt and has no idea whatsoever why he was imprisoned for 6 years with this mask forged around his head. The plan now is to replace the evil king with his brother at a masquerade party held soon. Only D'Artagnan still is guarding the king and so he has to turn against his old friends..." Written by Julian Reischl (link below)

The script can be read here, but beware, they used very small print:
http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/man_in_iron_mask_95.html and http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/m/man-in-the-iron-mask-script.html.

(L to R) John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu and Jeremy Irons as the Three Musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis.

(L to R) John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu and Jeremy Irons

as the Three Musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis.

This film was based on the third novel from his Musketeers trilogy by Alexandre Dumas, the others being titled "The Three Musketeers" and "Twenty Years Later". Dumas based his story on a real but mysterious prisoner in the Bastille, although he was not forced to wear an iron mask but wore a mask of leather. Scholars are still unsure about who the masked man was. Most sources think it was the lover of a Queen who fathered the heir to the throne. Anyone interested in the real events surrounding the Man in the Iron Mask, go here: http://www.royalty.nu/legends/IronMask.html. I totally plan on reading the book one day.

I found the movie enjoyable. The drama and acting were all very well done. DiCaprio had the hardest part because he was playing two different people. Although they were complete opposites so maybe that helped. All the different accents in one movie only made it slightly weird. But who on earth is going to tell Jeremy Irons he can't talk like Jeremy Irons? Hugh Laurie even shows up for a short funny bit.

Leonardo DiCaprio.

My favorite part were the clothes - oh so beautiful! And the sets were amazing as well.

If I had one problem it would be with the action sequences. A few of them were badly filmed and/or choreographed. It may be because of the ages of many of the older actors and lack of training on the part of the younger actors. 

All in all, a good film: funny, dramatic, not nearly as bad as people made it seem.

Favorite Lines:

Athos: What is Porthos doing?

Aramis: Walking into the barn naked, or so it would seem.

Athos: But what is he doing?

Aramis: About to hang himself, I suppose; he's been threatening to do it for months.

Athos: Hang himself?

Porthos: [he puts the rope around his neck and prepares to jump] Farewell cruel world... farewell to useless Porthos.

[jumps]

Athos: [Aramis and Athos are watching the building from the outside] What was that?

Aramis: It's all right; I sawed the beam.

[the building promptly collapses, and Athos stares at Aramis in disbelief]

Aramis: Well, I'm a genius, not an engineer! 

Leonardo DiCaprio as Phillippe.

Phillippe: I've worn that mask so long I don't feel safe without it.

Porthos: [the Musketeers have just broken into the Bastille to free Philippe] It worked!

Athos: Of course; it's a prison. There's no trouble getting in, the problems will come when we want to get out.

Gabriel Byrne as D'Artagnan.

Aramis: Why are you so glum?

Porthos: I expected action. There was no fighting, there was no killing. I was useless.

Aramis: Porthos, I grow tired of this attitude. You're surrounded by beauty, by intrigue, by danger. What more can a man want? The robins are singing, the pigeons are cooing. Can't you listen to their song?

[he walks off in disgust; Porthos takes off his hat when something falls on it to reveal it's bird-dung]

Louis: You're the new chief advisor. Execute him for distributing rotten food.

Athos: Is that just because you are holier than everybody else?

Aramis: Well, there is that, but also because I'm more intelligent than everybody else.

Hugh Laurie as the First Advisor
to the King.

Louis: D'Artagnan, you will hunt down Porthos, Athos, and Aramis, and bring me their heads, or I will have yours. And as for you, my brother, back to the prison you will go, and into the mask you hate. Wear it 'til you love it! And die in it.

Christine: I shall burn in Hell. So will you.

King Louis XIV: No, no my love. You shall burn in hell. But not me. For I am King... ordained by God!

Source: (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120744/plotsummary)

"The Iron Lady" Movie Review

"The Iron Lady" movie poster.

"Biopic of Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep, with a younger version played by Alexandra Roach), the United Kingdoms first female Prime Minister. Now elderly and senile, Thatcher spends much of her time in conversation with her husband Denis (Jim Broadbent, with younger version played by Harry Lloyd), who is dead. Interspersed with her everyday life are snippets of her life and political career. The middle class daughter of a grocer (Iain Glen), she obtained a good degree and developed an interest in politics. She was first elected in 1959 and quickly developed a reputation for dealing with difficult issues and showing herself more than capable of taking on her male counterparts in the House of Commons. As Prime Minister, she takes on the very powerful unions seeing her popularity plummet until her patriotic response to Argentina's invasion of the Falkland islands leads to her re-election. In the longer term, her rigid approach with her colleagues leads to her downfall and the Conservative party ousts her from the leadership." Written by garykmcd (Link below.)

Meryl Streep running the House of Commons.

Meryl Streep (with help from her makeup and hair artist, J. Roy Helland), was amazing. And I don't think anyone would ever know that she wasn't as British as all of the other cast members, weren't she not so famous. Although I don't think I would've agreed with her character's policies, it was inspiring to see someone so strong in such adversity. What ups and downs, Thatcher was incredible and I can't help but compare it to the way people view President Obama. It's like people forget it's a very difficult job running a country. I mean the IRA must've been a bitch to deal with, let alone all of the other regular law-making.

And I must thank the people involved with making this film for making Alexander Haig (Matthew Marsh) look like an ass, because he was. (Even though I'm an American, that part about Hawaii made me laugh.) When President Reagan was shot, instead of concerning himself about whether the President was alive or not, Mr. Haig proceeded to say that he was in charge and he was very much wrong in that regard. Though at the time he held the position of United States Secretary of State, which is very high in power, there were still four other people that would've had to die or resign from their positions before he could even suggest he was in charge. And while he was White House Chief of Staff, he suggested to President Nixon to seize control of the army rather than be impeached or resign from office following the Watergate scandal. He's a peach; good old Al.

Jim Broadbent (L) and Meryl Streep.

The only problem I could have with this film, is that they didn't show enough of her rising to the top. But I imagine that could've gotten tedious.

The clothing was marvelous. The director, Phyllida Lloyd (what a pretty name!), did an excellent job. The flashbacks weren't too much to handle. It's a long and interesting life to put in one movie and I feel as though they have done a great job.

Script can be accessed here: http://www.simplyscripts.com/2012/01/05/the-iron-lady-for-your-consideration/.

Favorite Lines:

Margaret Thatcher: It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone.

Margaret Thatcher: Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become... habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become.

Alexander Haig: So you are proposing to go to war over these islands. They're thousands of miles away, a handful of citizens, politically and economically insignificant, if you'll excuse me.
Margaret Thatcher: Just like Hawaii... I imagine.

Margaret Thatcher: Where did you go?
Denis Thatcher: South Africa.
Margaret Thatcher: Ah, yes.
Denis Thatcher: How many days passed before you realized I'd gone? Probably had to ask the cleaning woman where I was.

Sources: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1007029/plotsummary and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1007029/quotes.