Left Behind: The Movie (2000) PG13 - 2½ Stars

It's sort of ironic my sister and I were just having this conversation about if she suddenly disappears, I should not be worried because I will know where she has gone. With everything that is going on in the world right now, we have much debate into it's destiny. I choose to look at the world in more of a pragmatic fashion and entertain prophecies of the bible, Nostradamus predictions, and the Mayans calender as they are all open to interpretations of their content. I than prefer to form my own beliefs based on open minded and factual information. However, I can not dismiss the deep feelings I have that the world is headed for a major disruptment. I look for answers from the earth itself just getting tired of mankind taking it's toll on her over time. I feel she's ready to do something major to kick a bunch of us off. Reversal of the magnetic poles or something catastrophic to wake us up. My sister on the other hand, 100% believes in the bible and everything that is happening is just as it says it will. She constantly urges me to take a stand with God and avoid the horror that will be left for the non believers and sinners left on the planet. This movie is based upon a series of books written explaining Revelations and the Antichrists that will visit before Jesus makes his return to earth. Though in looking at some of the reviews, I fear the movie leaves a lot out.

I spent one entire weekend with the History Channel watching these different interpretations played out. First few hours was religious prophecies of the bible. Next few hours all about the Mayans and their calender that is suppose to show the world ending on Dec. 12, 2012. And then the predictions of Nostradamus. I choose to form my own opinions based on education and not faith. Maybe that is my problem too. I have no faith in much other than that of what I place in myself for my determination to get something down. Perhaps that is why it's sort of strange for me to keep finding myself renting movies that unbeknown to me, carry a religious content. Is something trying to tell me something? I am a spiritual person and do believe in a higher power that created us all and I do believe Jesus Christ did exist. I've even prayed to God many times for purely selfish reason, "PLEASE GOD, get me out of this one!" But it takes faith to believe in Adam and Eve, the rising up of Jesus from the dead, and that 12 virgins that are awaiting the Ala believers. For me, who's religion can possibly be the right one?

It would appear that organized religion is the cause of most problems in the world today. Ask a Muslim, a Jew, a Catholic, Buddhist or Christian and they all think their religion is the truth, just as my beliefs tend to come more from the earth itself. I guess I have more Mayan, Pagan, Indian belief that what we do in this world will come back to you. So now let me step off of the preachers box and get back to this movie regarding the "Rapture." It does seem a bit scary when you witness the scene at the United Nations where the Antichrist uses mind manipulation to gain control over the members. They walk out the door speaking a different tune then what was just played out. Basically the movie is about surrendering our lives to Christ before it's too late. I think "Left Behind" is a fair movie of the beliefs of the Christian faith. Though it was made 11 years ago, it sure fits into what the world is becoming today. I think it did a good job at taking the story to the big screen. At least giving me one more thing to rack around in my head regarding the return of Christ.

Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron) is a journalist headed to London where pilot Rayford Steele (Brad Johnson) is at the helm. Without warning, some of the passengers awake to find their loved ones are missing. All that is left in place is their material belongings, clothes, jewelry etc. But on a plane flying over 37 thousand feet, this is impossible. So where could all of these children and people go? Pilot Steele turns around and heads back to Chicago where he finds the same occurrences on the ground. It seems millions of people and all of the innocent children have vanished without a trace. As he arrives home, he finds his wife and son also are gone and the only thing remaining are the clothes left exactly as if they had melted out of them. Now, feeling extremely guilty over the affair he's been having with a flight attendant Hattie Durham (Chelsea Noble), to make up for the time he's felt his wife was wasting devoted to the church, he is beginning to take the bible more seriously.

Buck, being the journalist, is determined to get to the bottom of these disappearances as he ponders over reports about Dr. Chaim Rosenzweig (Colin Fox), an Israeli scientist who can turn the soil into the Garden of Eden making anything easy to cultivate in the soil of the earth. Dr. Rosenzweig is just ready to make his announcements to Nicolae Carpathia (Gordon Currie), who's taken over as head of The United Nations after some of the world leaders have vanished. Buck believes that Nicolae might is the Antichrist and that Revelations has begun. God help all us non believers now.

Cloud Ten Productions, Angel Studios, Namesake Entertainment
Director: Victor Sarin
Writers: Paul Lalonde, Alan B. McElroy, Joel Goodman
Producers: Ralph Winter, Peter Lalonde, Joel Goodman

I viewed 2/11

The Grocer's Son (2007) - 3 Stars

In French with subtitles, aka Le Fils De L'epicier, this is a movie that will grow on you. The story of a 30 year old man, learning to reconnect with himself in the country side. At first, it's hard to relate with Antoine as he seems so unemotionally attached to life and Claire who he secretly has a crush on. He hides his feelings from everyone and treats everyone coldly. I am still unsure of how they met other than by being neighbors, but it would have been nice to delve deeper into Claire's past to see why she has become so recluse herself. I loved the old village people Antoine is forced to deal with.

Antoine Sforza (Nicolas Cazalé), is living in a small apartment in the big city after leaving his families business 10 years ago. But his boxes are still packed and he really hasn't been living at all. Working dead end jobs to survive, his waiter position in a Parisian restaurant is taking a toll on his spirit. Claire (Clotilde Hesme), lives across the hall and at 26, she's chosen to go back to school and get her degree. But she too is restless and bored. Antoine is called by his mother Mère d'Antoine (Jeanne Goupil), that his father Père d'Antoine (Daniel Duval), has suffered a heart attack. She needs his help running the family grocery store back in their small village of Provence. Antoine encourages Claire to come home with him and spend the summer in the country to forget all the worries of the big city.

Once they arrive, Claire meets Antoine's brother François (Stéphan Guérin-Tillié). François is deeply depressed over the recent failing of his marriage but doesn't let on to anyone but Claire. As he goes off to work each day, Antoine takes over driving the van to the top of mountain to service the elderly people of the hillside. The quirkiness of the old people start to drive Antoine mad, many who remember his antics as a child. They do not want to spend their money with him and Claire hitches a ride the next day to show him how to sell. Père d'Antoine comes home from the hospital only to criticize the job Antoine's been doing. After learning Claire will soon be leaving for Spain to attend her college, Antoine must make a decision to become like his father or return to the big city which holds nothing in his favor.

TS Productions, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, Filmmovement
Director: Eric Guirado
Writers: Sara Prim, Eric Guirado, Florence Vignon
Producers: Milena Poylo, Gilles Sacuto

I viewed 2/11

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) R - 2½ Stars

While I actually liked the first "Paranormal Activity" better, this one also makes you walk away with that creepy feeling, looking behind your back. I thought the first one was scarier perhaps because the concept of how it was filmed was new. For me, this one takes way too long to get into the film and other than the kitchen scene with the wife, it isn't that scary. Supposedly this one is really the prequel to the first though I somehow missed the connection. It is however suspenseful as you scan each image looking and waiting for something to happen or become out of place.

One thing I never understand is at the first sign of something strange, especially when you have it on film, call 911 and they will answer and say, "What's you're emergency!" These people all seem to love pretending the problem doesn't exist and instead walk into it open armed. Tell ya what, if I was sitting in my kitchen and that happened to me, I'd be out of the house so fast and I'd never return without 20 people with me in the daylight only. So having said that, if you're dying to see a paranormal activity on film, rent the first one.

Kristi (Sprague Grayden), and Daniel Rey (Brian Boland), have recently been married and just had their first son Hunter (William Juan Prieto). Daniel already has a teenage daughter Ali (Molly Ephraim), from his first marriage and now they all live in a nice upscale home in Los Angeles. Martine (Vivis), is the nanny and house keeper and she senses something lurking in the home. She's constantly smudging the home of it's evil spirits which costs her job as Daniel doesn't like all this nonsense talk of ghosts. Katie (Katie Featherston), is Kristi's sister who comes by from time to time with her boyfriend Micah (Micah Sloat), to help her sister out. As the girls are looking through an old photo album they come across a photo of when they were young. It instantly brings back bad feelings of fear the sisters have choose to block out of their lives. But as strange events begin to take place inside the home, their entire family is rudely awaken to the fact they're not alone.

Blumhouse Productions, ROOM 101, Inc., Paramount Pictures
Director: Tod Williams
Writers: Tom Pabst, Michael R. Perry, Christopher Landon
Producers: Oren Peli, Jason Blum

I viewed 2/11

Unstoppable (2010) PG13 - 3½ Stars

Denzel was pretty good in this one. I don't always like some of the roles he picks but I think he played a good 28 year veteran train driver. Inspired by the true story of CSX 8888 "Crazy Eights," it is possible something like this could happen. Especially when you have a cocky lazy worker more interested in his comfort than doing his job. I hope things are a lot more automated these days.

Though there are a things you just know wouldn't happen in real life, and silly things like the train guards coming down after the train is going by, just ignore all that and enjoy the movie. It's a good edge of your seat thrilling wild ride. I think it would have been nice if Connie had known of Denzel before the wild train ride so when they meet, new sparks of romance would instantly flow for them.

Will (Chris Pine), is young rookie conductor who has been assigned to meet up with Frank (Denzel Washington), for his first on hands training session. He's not having a good day as he's just learned a misunderstanding with his wife Darcy (Jessy Schram), has escalated into a new 30 day extension on the restraining order against her and his son. Now all he can do is bury himself into his work while his personal life is falling a part around him. When he meets Frank, the other drivers are against him for being so young. Some of these men are getting forced into early retirement notices while when they are still qualified to work longer. But today will be no normal day for both young and old.

Dewey (Ethan Suplee), is put in charge of moving train 777 with it's 39 cars, off the main track. Against company policy, he leaves the engine to get out and trip a switch to the other track. As, his brake slips loose, the train picks up speed and he is unable to get back into the cab. Now literally turned into a high speed missile, the train reaches speeds of 75 miles an hour with no way to stop it. Connie (Rosario Dawson), is in charge of operations for the trains routes and learns of the coasting train. With not many options she phones Ned (Lew Temple), and begs him to drive to the next stop and throw a switch to get it off the main track. Ned arrives but he's too late as the train has already sped by. Meanwhile Frank and Will are headed on a collision course with train 777. As company owner Galvin (Kevin Dunn), learns the train is carrying hazardous material, he decides to derail the train before it gets to the next major city, Scranton Pa. Will and Frank have to race to get their train off the main track before they run head into their worst nightmare.

Scott Free Productions, Prospect Park, 20th Century Fox Distribution
Director: Tony Scott
Writer: Mark Bomback
Producers: Tony Scott, Ian Bryce, Mimi Rogers

I viewed 2/11

Death Race 2 (2010) Unrated - 2½ Stars

Now you really have to use your imagination here. Island housing prisoners, okay, I'll buy that. Fights and unrest breaking out at the prison, okay, I'll even buy that. All these pretty woman locked up for life taking part in the Death Matches and Death Races, NOT! Pretty game show host calling all the shots in the prison, getting really hard to buy and if anywhere in the U.S. allows prisoners to kill each other well just think of the housing costs America could save. Since this is supposedly happening in present day, well enough said. It's not my type of movie however having said that, the acting is fairly good from a few of the men. If you love action, weapons and wrecking cars, then you're going to love Death Race. Be forewarned, it looks like Death Race 3 is in store.

It's 2012 and private corporations now own and manage the prison systems. Terminal Island houses some of the most violent criminals in the world and the Weyland Corporation, now hosts a show called Death Match, a televised pay per view competition, with it's unscrupulous producer September Jones (Lauren Cohan), from the island. Death Match does just what it says. It films the battle of two of the strongest inmates who fight to the death. Rating levels have been dropping off and Summer is looking for something new to put her ratings back on top.

Carl "Luke" Lucas (Luke Goss), is the getaway driver for a robbery requested by crime boss Markus Kane (Sean Bean). Luke is working with two new guys who botch up the robbery and Luke ends up killing one of the cops in order for the men to escape. He drops off the two rookies in the midst of being chased and eventually is caught and sent to Terminal Island as a convicted cop killer. Summer has seen how well Luke drove to evade the police and decides to start "Death Race" to get her ratings back on top. In this case, inmates will compete in death races till only one remains and that one is given his freedom back into normal society. She is eager to get Luke to race right away. Luke's pit crew consists of Lists (Frederick Koehler), Goldberg (Danny Trejo), and Rocco (Joe Vaz). Luke is paired up with Katrina Banks (Tanit Phoenix), a woman on death row and now it's a fight to the finish. The two battle to stay alive and possible win their freedom.

Impact Pictures, Capital Arts Entertainment
Directors: Roel René, Roel Reiné
Writer: Tony Giglio
Producers: Paul W.S. Anderson, Mike Elliott, Jeremy Bolt

I viewed 1/11

Unknown (2006) R - 3 Stars

With a great plot, I really enjoy movies like this that screw with the mind. Here we have a little independent movie chocked full of drama and suspense. Though I don't think the acting is great at the beginning, it seems to get better as the story progresses. Strange concept of 5 men waking up in a locked warehouse with no memory of how they got there or who they are. After breathing a caustic chemical, there found in different positions and locations unaware of what has happened. As they start to gain parts of their memory back, they begin to question each others motives and withhold information to serve their best interests.

The story starts out in a warehouse with a man in a jean jacket (Jim Caviezel), waking up and looking around at 4 other men. (Joe Pantoliano), is tied up in a chair, (Greg Kinnear), lies face down with a broken nose, (Jeremy Sisto), has been shot and hanging handcuffed from the bars of the second floor. (Barry Pepper), blond hair and flannel shirt awakens from the second floor. The men have no idea of why they are together and until they find a newspaper on the bathroom floor. They read about a kidnapping that happened 2 days earlier. Convinced they are involved somehow, the men struggle to work together in an effort to free themselves not knowing if they are the kidnappers or the kidnappies. Meanwhile in the outside world, Detective Anderson (Clayne Crawford), helps a nervous wife (Bridget Moynahan), arrange to get the ransom money to the crooks, setting her husband free.

First Take (IFC)
Director: Simon Brand
Writer: Matt Waynee
Producers: Rick Lashbrook, Darby Parker, John S. Schwartz

I viewed 2/11

The Secret (2002) N/R - 3 Stars

This movie originally made by the BBC airing in the U.K. Even though it flows extremely slow, it somehow managed to pull my interest back in where I couldn't pause and walk away. It's not a fantastic movie, rated about 2½ stars, but I still gave it 3 for the fact it kept me interested till the end. Though somewhat predictable, the suspense is there and finally when the movie ends, you almost feel let down. The three main characters are good actors, not well known to me, and I like that.

Emma Faraday (Haydn Gwynne), is a simple woman, mother of two and married to Alex (Robert Bathurst.) One would never know she's been carrying around a secret that she's chosen to suppress deep inside and function normally. She seems to have a stable and happy relationship with her family. That is until her old childhood friend, Nadia (Stella Gonet), reappears in her life threatening to take it all away.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), October Productions
Director: Alrick Riley
Writer: Lucy Floyd
Producer: Paul Rutman

I viewed 10/10

The Final Destination (2009) R - 3 Stars

While this isn't the type of movie I normally reach for, it was a better horror movie than a lot I've seen. The director seems to have a knack for making the death scenes pop out in your face. I hear the 3D version amplifies this effect.

A teenage boy has a premonition that he and his friends will be killed watching a car race. He urges them to leave before the accident occurs but now discovers each will meet their own demise, exactly as it should have been in the first place.

Nick O'Bannon (Bobby Campo), and his girl friend Lori (Shantel VanSanten), are attending a car race at McKinley Speedway with their friends Hunt (Nick Zano), and Janet (Haley Webb). While sitting in the audience, Nick gets a strange premonition that an accident will happen causing many injuries in the area they are sitting. As he notices other people in the audience like the racist Carter Daniels (Justin Welborn), and his wife Cynthia (Lara Grice), the cowboy Jonathan Grove (Jackson Walker), a mechanic Andy Kewzer (Andrew Fiscella), his girlfriend Nadia Monroy (Stephanie Honore), MILF Samantha Lane (Krista Allen) and her husband (Phil Austin), all interacting around him, he gets a vision that one of the cars will loose a wheel, hurling it straight into the crowd. He convinces his friends and the security guard George Lanter (Mykelti Williamson), to leave just in the nick of time. But two of the survivors end up dying and Nick starts retracing the time frame of the event to see who's may be next.

Practical Pictures, Parallel Zide, Soundelux, New Line Cinema
Director: David R. Ellis
Writer: Eric Bress
Producers: Craig Perry, Warren Zide

I viewed 10/10

The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009) R - 3½ Stars

A simple kidnapping for ransom goes wrong when the girl is not willing to go along so easily. It's a pretty good little Independent thriller with only three characters. A twisted story, that will hold your attention when it takes it's many turns, some very unexpected. You're not going to see a lot of action, but it's made up with plenty of emotion that will keep you drawn in.

40 something Vic (Eddie Marsan), and 20 something Danny (Martin Compston), are two ex cons that come up with a perfected plan they religiously stick to. First they sound proof a room and bathroom and bring in a bed attaching it firmly to the floor. Next, they professionally install restraints to the wall and many pad locks on the doors, always wearing protective covering for their clothes. Now, all they need is a victim to kidnap and hold for ransom. Danny suggests a girl Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton), he's been watching, who comes from a wealthy family and should bring in a pretty price. But Alice is not ready to go easy and puts a strain on their perfect plan.

CinemaNX, Isle of Man Film, Anchor Bay Films
Director: J Blakeson
Writer: J Blakeson
Producer: Adrian Sturges

I viewed 12/10

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) PG13 - 3 Stars

I think if you have a good understanding of wall street stocks, trades and Wall Street, you might enjoy this movie more than I did. It requires paying close attention to everything unfolding or you may become confused. Michael Douglas gives a solid performance as a once big time trader, just released from prison. I can't give too many details away about what happens or it will be really boring for you.

It's 2001 and Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), has been released from prison after spending the eight years for money laundering, racketeering and a list of other sins. This once great Wall Street giant, used to expecting a car to pick him up, finds himself alone at the gate. Gekko quietly slips away and out of the public eye. Seven years later, he released a book; Is Greed Good? His daughter Winnie (Carey Mulligan), and her boyfriend Jacob 'Jake' Moore (Shia Lebouf), see Gekko on the T.V. as he's being interviewed. Angerly, Winnie throws the remote as she never wishes to speak to her father again.

Jake is one of his firms top brokers at Keller Zabel Investments. He's been working on alternative sources of energy, including a fusion technique for the future. His company is in trouble and when Lewis Zabel (Frank Langella), can't arrange a bailout because of crossing former businessman Bretton James (Josh Brolin), of Churchill Schwartz, he gives Jake a 1.5 million dollar bonus and tells him he should marry Winnie. The next morning Zabel jumps in front of his morning train. Jake buys a ring and proposes to Winnie.

Since Winnie won't talk about her father, Jake attends a lecture Gekko's giving and approaches him about marrying his daughter. The two share a train ride where Gekko shows Jake a photo of Winnie as a child. He tells Jake the trouble at his company started when rumors were spread and if Jake will give him a recent photo of Winnie, he in turn will find the secrets of who profited by Keller Zabel collapse thus helping Jake turn the tables. Jake will soon learn Gekko is in full use of his finest manipulation skills.

Charlie Sheen makes an appearance as Bud Fox a multimillionaire from Blue Star Airlines.

20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Writers: Stephen Schiff, Allan Loeb
Producers: Edward R. Pressman, Eric Kopeloff

I viewed 1/11

In the Loop (2008) NR - 2 Stars

I have to say that most of this movie bored me. Could have something to do with it's all about politics which is something I often disagree with and I didn't think the punch lines were all that funny but more foul mouthed and unrealistic. It was hard for me to stay with the dialect with heavy British accents through most of it as I guess most of the humor is above my head. Do people really talk like this? I was surprised to see James Gandolfini in this playing a US general as I always love him in a movie.

British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), casually tells a reporter "war is unforeseeable." Later in a statement he says, "to walk the road of peace, sometimes we need to be ready to climb the mountain of conflict". Judy (Gina McKee), personal Director of Communications, now tries help control the situation along with British Communications Director, and a nasty mouthed Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). Damage control expert Toby (Chris Addison), comes into play as US Assistant Secretary for Diplomacy Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy), and US Lieutenant General George Miller are up against State Department US Assistant Secretary for Policy, Linton Barwick (David Rasche). They fake meetings, and leak information all in manoeuvring the vote between nations.

Awards include:
2009 - National Board of Review - Best Independent Film
2009 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay

IFC Films
Director: Armando Iannucci
Writers: Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, Jesse Armstrong
Producers: Adam Tandy, Kevin Loader

I viewed 12/10