Movie Reviews By Movie Reviews Pro

State of Play - Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck

Rating:

Movie: State of Play (2009)

Studio : Universal Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 127min

Website : stateofplaymovie.net

Trailer :

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7tyba

Review:

Featuring a star-studded roster of critically acclaimed actors, State of Play is the film adaptation of a British 6-part mini-series of the same name. The story follows an investigative journalist named Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) as he attempts to unearth the truth behind the mysterious death of Congressman Stephen Collins’ (Ben Affleck) mistress. Initially ruled as a suicide, Cal unexpectedly finds himself waist-deep in a quagmire of political and corporate conspiracy, a secretive web with potentially lethal repercussions for anybody that stumbles upon it. Faced with this discovery, Cal must choose between preserving his firmly-rooted friendship with Collins or risk everything to unveil one of the biggest scandals of the century.

Set in the nation’s capital, the complex yet sensible plot is particularly intriguing given that its embedded in current affairs; in this case, a lucrative military contractor is facing political opposition. However, the pace seems to drag a bit at times, as the finer details require more time to be fully ironed-out. But this isn’t an entirely bad situation, because these instances of plot development precipitate occasions of unnerving suspense.

Throughout the screening I found myself briefly wondering what sort of twist could come next, while simultaneously watching along in an unending stupor of fascination, the sort of infatuated yet vegetative mental state that only a thorough storyline could evoke.

Rarely does Hollywood produce such a tremendous work of film, where plot development, performance, and suspense are all top-notch. State of Play is more than just a political thriller, as it exposes the workings of the dying newspaper industry, their sporadic collusion with politicians, and their cooperation with law enforcement. It successfully delivers an elaborate while discernible storyline guaranteed to consume film fanatics and average movie-goers alike, thus it comes highly recommended.

– Daniel S. Edited by: Trent M.

Drama, In Theaters, Thriller crime, Drama, police, russell crowe, state of play, suspense, Thriller

The Soloist - Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr.

Rating:

Movie: The Soloist (2009)

Studio : Working Title Films; DreamWorks Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 117min

Website : soloistmovie.com

Trailer :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6q7js

Review:

The story centers around Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), a middle-aged writer for the Los Angeles Times, who decides to write a series of articles about a schizophrenic homeless man named Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx). Lopez first notices Ayers as he is playing the violin; he later learns Nathaniel is a Juliard-trained musician. Based on true events, the movie follows Lopez’s evolving relationship with Ayers, as it transforms from one of strictly professional endeavors to a heartwarming tale of friendship.

Present-time scenes are spliced by brief flashbacks to Ayers’ past, such as his first cello lessons and his subsequent withdrawal from Juliard. Through this method, the viewer gets a more complete perception of Ayers’ collegiate downfall as well as his mental unraveling. Scene by scene, Lopez attempts to crack the next layer of Nathaniel’s trust to not only get more information for his articles, but to learn more about Nathaniel himself.

The story itself is incredibly touching and seems almost too good to be true, the sort of perfectly-aligned elements aimed at tugging your heartstrings that could only be manufactured by Hollywood. Unfortunately, the pace of the film seems to drag throughout which takes away from the plot. These factors melded with a pedestrian execution by director Joe Wright results in a heavy-handed display that does not match the emotional evocations of Nathaniel’s story.

Robert Downey Jr. once again delivers a stellar performance, as his nonchalant attitude paves the way for a seemingly effortless execution of flawless acting. Jamie Foxx also brings his A-game, assuming a role with a much higher, and somewhat unrealistic, standard of perfection. Playing a character with a heavy onset of mental instability is by no means a simple task, and although it was fairly unconvincing, Foxx’s wholehearted effort should not be overlooked. Despite the directorial shortcomings of the movie, the superb acting and touching story are worth the price of admission alone.

-Daniel S. Edited By: Trent M.

Drama, In Theaters, Music Drama, jamie foxx, Music, robert downey jr, soloist, the soloist

Obsessed - Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles

Rating:

Movie: Obsessed(2009)

Studio: Screen Gems

Info: Click Here

Runtime: 108min

Website: areyouobsessed.com

Trailer:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8ro58

Review :

Obsessed was an excellent movie! As I always say, “In every movie there is a lesson to be learned.” In this particular movie the lesson was to trust your spouse. What I was most surprised about in this movie was how sync it was with its trailer. Lately a lot of movie trailers have been misleading the quality and purpose of the movie yet this movie really stayed on topic.

The movie was great with grabbing my attention by making every scene vital to the movie’s purpose. Beyonce does a great job creating the emotion in a lot of the scenes cracking tears and yelling at a high frequency. Idris (main character) is great with his confused looks and sad reactions as well as his emotional aspect. Meanwhile Ali (plays the obsessed female) dropped my jaw with her forceful actions and impressive acting.

On top of everything I was really sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the entire film. I was really impressed by the thrill this movie had in every scene. I couldn’t wait another minute to find out what was going to happen. Each stressful scene just edged me wanting to know more!

Overall I can’t really say much about this movie without spoiling a bit of it therefore I am going to stop before I ruin the movie for you potential viewers out there! See this movie!

-Trent M.

Drama, Just left Theaters, Thriller affair, beyonce, beyonce knowles, cheating, crazy, Fantasy, idris elba, obsessed, psycho, scary, Thriller

Taken - Liam Neeson

Rating:

Movie: Taken(2009)

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Info: Click Here

Runtime: 93min

Website: takenmovie.com

Trailer:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x73bds

Review :

Pierre Morel’s Taken was released on January 30th, 2009, and since it’s unveiling it has created a beautiful world of magic realism. People nationwide are flocking to their local theater in order to escape the economic recession and watch something worthwhile.

A former spy finds out that his estranged daughter is being captured for an illegal slave trade operation, and uses all of his perfected skills from the past to get his daughter out of slavery’s grasp.

Bryan, the protagonist, permits his daughter, Kim, to travel to Paris with her friend Amanda. He feels that it is the trip of her dreams, and he would not play a role in preventing her from going. Upon Bryan’s contacting her in Paris, Kim finds that an Albanese gang has laid its tentacles on her and her Amanda and forcibly induced her into human trafficking. The retired spy vows to avenge her daughter’s kidnap and kill the abductors.

The remaining plot is a tireless adventure of a father ready to walk on cinder for saving his daughter and taking revenge on the Albanese gang.

Luk Besson’s screenplay is frighteningly taut and gives us no room to yawn. The entire aura of intrigue is beautifully built up, and Brian’s revenge is worth traveling miles to see.

Liam Neeson, who plays Brian, portrays many different shades of a human face. This thespian uses his powerful acting skills to portray an abject father, a resolve-filled father, a cold avenging father, an emotional father, and lastly a relieved father. Neeson did a brilliant job and has done justice to each shade. While Neeson was a well cast character, Magi Grace as Kim and Katie Cassidy as Amanda could be better cast.

If the heroes have done well, so have the villains. Overall, the movie beautifully builds up menace and lets us live in its shadow until the final credits roll. Pierre Morel is certainly not unknown to the art, and does complete justice the beautiful vision he had.

-Edited by Cole G. & Trent M.

Action, Drama, On DVD Action, daughter taken away, Drama, Horror, london, Pierre Morel, scary, taken, taking, Thriller