Gracie (2007) PG13 - 4 Stars

Gracie is a movie that makes you feel good while rooting for the underdog. Based on the true story of the death of William Shue, a cast member and the director made this film to honor their brother.

(Carly Schroeder) is Gracie Bowen, a 15 year old tom girl that looks up to her older brother Johnny (Jesse Lee Soffer), star player for their high school soccer team. The family lives and breaths soccer. When he dies suddenly in a car accident, Gracie vows somehow to take his place in the world of soccer. She has followed her brothers footsteps and learned from him but everyone tells her she can't do it. Her family doesn't want her to become involved because she is a girl. And even her best friend tells her she will be deemed a lesbian if she plays for the team. All she has to do is convince the Coach Clark (Andrew Shue) that she is qualified. The boys show her no mercy but she refuses to give up. Not until she's reached the top in every one's eyes.

Picturehouse
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Writers: Lisa Marie Petersen, Karen Janszen
Producers: Elisabeth Shue, Andrew Shue, Davis Guggenheim

I viewed 10/07

Falling Down (1993) R - 4 Stars

Zola's pic for one you should see at least one time or own in your collection.

William Foster's (Michael Douglas) is not having a very good day. He's on the way to a job that he's been laid off from and it hasn't quite sunk in yet. Neither has the fact he is divorced and is suppose to stay clear of his daughter and ex-wife Beth (Barbara Hershey).

While day dreaming about his daughters birthday, he finds himself in the middle of traffic pile up on the 110. With so much annoying him, he abandons his car and just walks off. He needs to make a call to his daughter and when the Korean shop owner refuses to make change for him, his anger starts to mount. No one seems to be cooperating with him.

Obviously delusional, he stops to rest and gets lippy with a group of gangsters defending their turf. The punks later retaliate but wind up fighting for their lives. Foster becomes armed and though already mentally unsound, takes on the rest of the city. He snaps when the fast food restaurant refuses to make him breakfast at lunch time.

Meanwhile, with a wife constantly calling to remind him, officer Prendergast (Robert Duvall), counts down the hours of his last days on the job. Replaying his somewhat boring future in his head, Pendergast picks up on clues other detectives have missed. It's important to him to solve this last case. When Foster and Pendergast confront each other, both men have nothing to loose.

Warner Bros Pictures
Director: Joel Schumacher
Writer: Ebbe Roe Smith
Producers: Herschel Weingrod, Timothy Harris, Mike Jackman

I viewed 1/08

Whiteout (2009) R - 3 Stars

I have mixed emotions about this movie. It wasn't a great movie at all but something kept me drawn and somewhat nearing the edge on my seat a few times. Maybe it was just a good job of feeling the freezing blizzard or perhaps the uncertainty of a killer on the loose, hacking his way through what's left of the crew. But that's when it also got a little cheesy to me as this killer was really a bad shot. I think I counted at least 12 hacks toward Marshall Stetko, while never striking her once. If nothing else, it gives a pretty realistic feel to what it must be like to live and work at the North or South Pole.

U.S. Marshall Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale), has been reassigned a position at Antarctica's South Pole research base after her partner turned on her and she had to shoot to kill. The betraying images still haunt her nightly so she prefers this solitude of misdemeanor crimes rather than deal with who she can trust. When a body is discovered on the snow away from base, her investigative instincts quickly return as it's apparent the man was murdered.

Dark Castle Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Director: Dominic Sena
Writers: Jon Hoeber, Chad Hayes, Erich Hoeber
Producers: Susan Downey, Joel Silver, David Gambino

I viewed 2/10

What Doesn't Kill You (2008) R - 3½ Stars

Based on a true story, of two boys growing up as street thugs in the south part of Boston. They only know how to do one thing only, making a quick buck regardless of what must be done to get it. With no respect for life, the two eventually find themselves in over their heads behind bars.

Brian (Mark Ruffalo), and Paulie (Ethan Hawke), are growing up on the streets of Boston, almost if brothers, both coming from broken homes. They are willing participants in any petty crime that mob boss Pat Kelly (Brian Goodman), assigns to them. In this town where only the strong survive, Brian and Paulie have become the perfect street thugs, involved in misdemeanor crimes in order to make a quick buck. Now, as adults, their petty crimes have taken a new direction, landing both of them in long term prison sentences.

When parole come up, Paulie takes the rap in a case of jail cell pay back, so Brain can go free and to start a new life with wife Stacey (Amanda Peet) and their son. But Detective Moran (Donnie Wahlberg), won't let things lie with Brain, watching his every move, and eventually Paulie's as well, when he joins the outside regrouping with Brian. Though Brian has vowed to stay clean from drugs and rekindle his relationship with his wife and son, it's getting tougher with steady work becoming harder to find. When Paulie approaches Brian with a plan of off one last great heist that will financially set them free, Brian must reflect back to his prison days in order to find the strength to say no.

Yari Film Group, Battle Plan Productions
Director: Brian Goodman
Writers: Donnie Wahlberg, Paul T. Murray, Brian Goodman
Producer: Rod Lurie, Bob Yari, Marc Frydman

I viewed 5/09

Iraq in Fragments (2005) Part 2 NR - 2½ Stars

This is a 2 part documentary of what you are not going to see on CNN or the local news. Part 2 is a more personal look at how the war has effected the Iraqi people. I watch every documentary I can about the war because it is the only way to see all sides of the story. It's subtitled and broken down into chapters. Part 2 drug on a little for me but was still educational and comes with Part 1 automatically.

Chapter one - Sari's Mother:

Sari Zehum is a 10 year old boy who has contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion. This chapter shows the mother point of view in trying to get care for her boy who's had the disease for 4 years now. She becomes lost in the health care system that really has no idea how to treat the infliction. The children play war games with their clay toys putting bombs under the wheels of cars.

Chapter two - Jim McDermott visit to Baghdad:

Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott and the James Longley travel to Baghdad to see what condition the country is in after the Gulf War. Their speeches are of trying to disarm Iraq. The film shows the sewage treatment plants not operational and causing diseases to the Iraqi children. Also birth defects are up do to the large degree of radiation poison from uranium plus debris and tanks left all over the country side.

The last section is made up of the Independent Film & Television Center (IFTC) and the artist community before and after the war strikes. 4 short films by students are included in this section as well as Director commentary.

2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Cinematography - Documentary Competition.

To read more about the filming of this documentary, click here.

Typecast Releasing
Driector: James Longley
Producers: James Longley, John Sinno

I viewed 5/08

Iraq in Fragments (2005) Part 1 NR - 3 Stars

This is a 2 part documentary of what you are not going to see on CNN or the local news. It's actual footage of how the Sunnie, Shia and Kurds feel about America and our invasion into their country. I watch every documentary I can about the war because it is the only way to see all sides of the story. It's subtitled and broken down into three chapters.

The first chapter is entitled Mohammed in Baghdad. Mohammed Haithem Majid is an 11 year old boy who is needs to look after himself after he's disconnected with his father during the start of the war. He works in an auto shop for a man he'd like to call his dad but he makes fun of him as he can't read or write and has flunked the same grade 4 times. This man tries to instill the importance of an education but with the talk of Americans invading his country, he's uncertain which direction he should take.

Chapter two is entitled Sadr's South. About the fundamentalist Shiite cabal of Moqtada Sadr and his strict government based on guns and Muslim Law. They are against alcohol of any type and raid swap meets where they know sellers are peddling their goods. Mehdi Army fighter, Naseriyah is featured. Scary to see fanaticism of these young men as one can trigger them all into fury. None of these Iraqi men are happy with the American invasion, some even saying things were better with Saddam.

Chapter three is entitled Kurdish Spring shows the Kurds as farmers making bricks holding onto the faith that someday will be better. They welcome the US presence as it has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied.

Awards include:
2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Cinematography - Documentary Competition.
2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Documentary Film Editing Award
2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Documentary Directing Award

To read more about the filming of this documentary, click here.

Typecast Releasing
Director: James Longley
Producers: James Longley, John Sinno

I viewed 5/08

Oxy-Morons (2011) NR - 3 Stars

Flipping through the choices on Netflix, this film caught my attention. Though I have heard about the drug known as "Oxy," I didn't realise the drug was so powerful. Writer John Hickey is also the main character Danny who's re-living his real life drama about his dependency on a pain relief opioid known as "Oxycontin." His purpose for the film, is to help others make the decision against abusing this powerful pain killer. This film is based loosely on his prior episodes with this drug and law enforcement. From the movie's official web site, "John Hickey makes his film debut as writer and director of “Oxy-Morons”. Known to local law enforcement as one of the most notorious “Oxy Bandits” in the Boston area, Hickey’s reign came to an end one night when jumped by a rival gang in Quincy MA and thrown off an 80 foot cliff. As his road to recovery and redemption progressed, Hickey produced the “Oxy-Morons” screenplay from his prison cell where he spent three years for a string of pharmacy robberies and the illegal distribution of Oxycontin. Upon release, Hickey went to work for the Federal Government helping law enforcement expose and incarcerate some of the most nefarious Oxycontin dealers in the country. When he was finally given a chance to put his screenplay into production, Hickey dove into the main role, fully committing to reliving his life experiences in an attempt to educate, as well as entertain." http://oxymoronsthemovie.wordpress.com/johnnyhickey/

The film is pretty violent but also for those addicted like John Hickey was, it's probably a pretty realistic portrayal of the dark side of surviving as a junkie. Language is not suitable for teens, though they hear it all in their music. I thought the acting was pretty good and the message very loud. Definitely gives the viewer the cons of addiction to this drug as it's not a glamorous life but this movie is not for everyone.

Danny (Johnny Hickey), and brother Jason (David Burns), have been raised alone by their addicted mother Patty (Patty Ross),after their father was killed years ago by a cop. Along with their best bro Fruit Loops (Brendan Brennan), the three hang out on the streets of Boston and are no strangers to law enforcement constantly being arrested for petty crimes. But the boys get themselves into robbing drug stores for Oxycontin, as this powerful pain killer can bring in more money. Though Jason keeps a clean head about the drug, Danny becomes addicted snorting all of his profit. Det. Greico (Damien Di Paola) and Det. Griffen (Jim Cullity) watch their every move and eventually they are all behind bars. But the story runs deeper when a dirty cop has something to hide about their father's murder.

Complex Films, Synergetic Distribution, Johnny Dangerously Film
Director: Johnny Hickey
Writer: Johnny Hickey
Producers: Damien Di Paola, John Gulielmetti, Brendan Brennan

I watched 10/12

Downloading Nancy (2008) NR - 2 Stars

When I saw the name of this movie, I had to see it since it had to do with computers, and the main character is named Nancy. However, this is one dark bizarre depressing movie. Based loosely on the true story of Nancy Stockwell, who canvased the Internet to find someone to kill her and end her misery. The film really takes some time to get going and seems confusing at the beginning but I wasn't ready for where it was going.
 
The story... The wife is bored at home, been sexually abused as a child and wants to end it in a violent struggle. She meets an abusive man on line and hooks up with him to be pleased, tortured and eventually killed by him. But this sicko man loves the abuse so much himself and turns up at the Nancy's home in hopes of being tortured by her husband. Yes I do have it in my bizarre category.

Nancy Stockwell (Maria Bello), has lived most of her life with depression. From her early childhood abuse, she's learn to take comfort in self-inflicted pain. She lives with her husband Albert (Rufus Sewell), but is not satisfied in their marriage. While Albert is at work, Nancy leaves him a note saying she is going away to visit an old friend. She never calls her husband and when she doesn't return in a timely manner, Albert learns she's been using the computer to meet men like Louis Farley (Jason Patric). It seems Nancy's has been trying to recruit men on-line to kill her as she's can't take her life on her own. When she meets Louis, their attraction is strong and Albert's discovers this is who Nancy is with to plan her murder.

Tule River Films, World Premiere Entertainment

Director: Johan Renck

Writers: Pamela Cuming, Lee Ross
Producers: Igor Kovacevich, David Moore, Cole Payne

I viewed 4/11

The Way Back (2010) PG13 - 4 Stars

Based loosely on the true story of three men who, in 1941, survived a 4000 mile walk across five countries in hopes of gaining their freedom. This movie is dedicated in their honor while taking it's own creative directions. What an incredible story of perseverance and courage to set forth on an impossible journey. To think a group actually made this journey shows amazing determination.

Just before WWII, and faced with eternal imprisonment in a Siberian labor camp, a group of escapees begin their walk to freedom that crosses the dehydrated Gobi Desert and the frozen mountains of the Himalayas.

A group of 4 imprisoned men of a Siberian Labor camp plan their escape. They've found a way to get out of the camp though freedom lies many miles away. First, they must cross the Gobi Desert and if they make it that far, their next challenge is climbing the snow covered Himalayas. The men are determined this is their last chance at freedom by reaching and India.

Janusz (Jim Sturgess), Valka (Colin Farrell), Khabarov (Mark Strong), and Voss (Gustaf Skarsgård), make up part of the group of 8 men. Janusz has experience with living in the forest and his leadership evades the groups recapture. As they gain distance between their captors, they finally begin to smell freedom as the head for their destination. A young teenage girl Irena (Saoirse Ronan), has been trailing the group for a while in hopes of joining them for protection. She is alone and risks capture and begs the men to accept her promising to not slow them down. They finally break and decide she can hitch a ride. As they travel across the Gobi Desert, the group is faced with death amongst them and must make the moral decisions of when to leave members of their group behind.

Awards Include:
2011 - Irish Film and Television Awards - Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Film

Point Blank Productions, On the Road
Director: Peter Weir
Writer: Peter Weir, Keith R. Clarke
Producers: Tobin Armbrust, Duncan Henderson, Peter Weir

I viewed 8/12

54 (1998) R - 3½ Stars

Not a documentary, but a movie based on the true life of Steve Rubell and his exclusive private night club, Studio 54, he co owned and attended nightly. This exclusive disco club of the 70's, attracted the world's elite, to party behind closed doors. Not just anyone could get in this club and Rubell hand picked only people he felt worthy of attending. His arrogance becomes his demise when his bragging costs him the club in exchange for a jail sentence. Once free, he's allowed back for one last night at the club, surrounded by the people who stood by him.

Considering the bad reviews this movie was given, I enjoyed learning a little more about this exclusive club in NYC though not a complete story. I wish the film focused more on Rubell than trying to become a love story. Being myself from this time period in L.A., we knew of Studio 54 and how special it would have been to dance inside. I had to include the Razzie nominations below because I don't agree with the nomination for Ryan Pjillippe.

Shane O'Shea (Ryan Phillippe), 19, and his two close friends, spend their nights at a local club in New Jersey. Shane's mom died when he was 12 and he lives with his strict father and two younger siblings. But he's become bored with this scene and yearns to be where the action is across the river in New York City. He cuts his hair, in a modern do, and sets his sights on how the other half lives at Studio 54. As soon as his father falls asleep, he lifts the keys and his friends head off to the big city for an evening of excitement. When they arrive Steve Rubell (Mike Myers),co owner of the club, peers out into the crowd selecting the unique and beautiful people he wants inside. He spots Shane and motions him into the club. Though his friends are rejected at the door, Shane must go inside, hoping for a chance encounter with his favorite soap star Julie Black, (Neve Campbell), who frequents this club.

Steve Rubell is a eccentric type only allowing the beautiful and the totally unique into his club. One such guest is an elderly woman, known as Disco Dollie (Ellen Albertini Dow), who attends the club nightly. Rubell has just lost his bus boy to a modeling career and takes a liking to Shane, offering him the job. Shane excepts as he immediately becomes infused with the glitter and excitement of this elite crowd. Greg Randazzo (Breckin Meyer), is a bus boy and shows Shane how things work and which drugs go to whom. Greg invites Shane home to his small apartment with his wife Anita (Salma Hayek), who also works at the club. Anita has a great voice and dreams of someday standing on stage at Studio 54. They form an instant bond and invite Shane to stay with them. Shane learns how to work the crowd and eventually makes bartender where the real fun comes in where he meets and falls for Julie. But this type of club can make instant careers if you hook up with the right people and Shane realizes he's been selling his soul for fame and fortune.

Rubell gets cocky as he allows numerous interviews where he flaunts his enourmous monetary intake from the club. He's been evading paying taxes, and the IRS is on to him. They know he's been sending hoards of cash out the back door straight to his partner hide. The IRS closes in and Rubell is arrested for tax evasion, sentenced to 18 months behind bars and the club is never the same. When he gets out, he returns to the club for one last bash with his beloved friends who supported him. He died in 1989 at the age of 45.

Awards include:
1999 - Nominated Razzie Awards - Worst Actor - Ryan Phillippe
1999 - Nominated Razzie Awards - Worst Supporting Actress - Ellen Albertini Dow

Miramax Films
Director: Mark Christopher
Writer: Mark Christopher
Producers: Dolly Hall, Richard N. Gladstein, Ira Deutchman

I viewed 8/12

Dragonslayer (2011) NR - 2 Stars

I usually fill my queue at Netflix with movies that have a rating of 3 and above, without paying much attention to their contents. It was my impression this film would be a sci-fi thriller about dragons as I rarely read the descriptions before watching. I never dreamed this was a documentary following one guy, Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval from Fullerton, and his passion for skateboarding intermixing with his responsibility into fatherhood. I'm assuming someone into skateboarding, and this lifestyle, get this title better than me. However, if skateboarding is your thing, you've probably heard of Skreech as he's been voted the "oddest" in So. California published  skateboarding magazines. He's young and at times irresponsible, with no apparent parental support or attachment (since they're never mentioned) but I say, if you can make money doing something your passionate about, follow your dream even if it means battling the business money making world of pro-skating.

 

The camera man, Tristan Patterson, does a good job following the day by day excursions of Skreech as he makes his choices, or lack there of them, in life. Though, I didn't learn anything new about the sport from watching the film, I do know many in the close knit community of skateboarders who band together like street gangs, in order to find acceptance and happiness.

Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval from Fullerton, California is a twenty something skateboarder. Parental guidance seems non existence as his street family has become a band of skateboarding, drug addicted punks. He's a legend around Orange County for his passion for the sport while not surrendering himself to the corporate world of profit. His passion is helmet less tricks done in local and abandoned swimming pools. His young life consists of getting high, drinking then skateboarding. Because of his non obligations, he travels to other states and even countries in the world, entering contests for some extra cash. His needs are minimal, living off cup of noodles and pitching a tent in any ones yard that will allow him. All that must change as he's now got responsibilities with a new son and wants him to grow up in a better environment then he did.

Awards include:

2011 - SXSW Film Festival - SXSW Competition Award
2011 - Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival - Best International Documentary

Killer Films, Animals of Combat
Director: Tristan Patterson
Producer: John Baker, Tom Fanning,Christine Vachon

I viewed 8/12