Doubt: Gossip

Official Site: doubt-themovie.com
Director(s): John Patrick Shanley
Writer(s): John Patrick Shanley
Producer(s): Scott Rudin

Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis, and Joseph Foster(IMDb). Rated Pg-13, 104 minutes.

Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep) developed a skeptical attitude toward Father Brendan Flynn(Hoffman), first, after she saw a student pull away from him as he asked the young man about his fingernails, and second, after she attended the father's sermon about doubt. Her skepticism of Father Flynn transformed into a brand certainty when she learned of Father Flynn's very close relationship with Donald Miller(Joseph Foster).

I don't know if the acting could have been any better. The performances were amazing. In character, Hoffman and Streep seemed to have a sophisticated dislike for each other. There was shouting, and wit, in those heated arguments that were performed impeccably. Hoffman's facial expressions of anger were so genuine, while Streep displayed contradictorily stoic but yet angry facial expressions.

There were two key scenes in this film. The first scene was the meeting between Father Flynn, Sister James(Amy Adams), and Sister Beauvier about his relationship with Donald Miller. The second scene was the meeting between Sister Beauvier, and Mrs. Miller. The second scene is the one to watch for.

According to metacritic.com the film received generally favorable reviews, and according to rottentomatoes.com the film earned 98 fresh tomatoes to 31 rotten ones thus far. Great film. I'll grade it between an A- and B+.

Trailer

Movie Clip

Meryl Streep Interview


Cast Interview

The Spirit: The Perfect Ass

Official Site: mycityscreams.com
Director(s): Frank Miller,
Writer(s): Will Eisner, Frank Miller
Producer(s): Deborah Del Prete, Gigi Pritzker, Michael E. Uslan

Starring: Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Sarah Paulson,(IMDb). Rated PG-13. 103 minutes.

Initially "The Spirit" does not know how he became invincible, but later while in captivity by the hands of "The Octopus" he finds out. His invincibility led him to become a superhero who defended the city from The Octopus. However, he has someone else to worry about, his childhood crush who grew into a criminal called Sand Saref.

My main expectation for this film was not met. That expectation was really cool action scenes. Notably these scenes were missing, and the scenes that were in the movie were teasers more than anything, because I felt as if they could have been more exciting. In about two of the scenes, instead of seeing the actual fight, the fight was seen as a shadow on the wall as oppose to that actual actors.

The plot of the film was not emphasized to the point that it was clearly presented. Myth driven , Sand Saref was searching for the golden treasure of Jason and the Argonauts, while " The Octopus" searched for the blood of Hercules. The search for these treasures were not the core element of the film, and it was difficult to describe what the core element was, it seemed like the plot was lost in the effort of making the film cool.

Indeed the appearance of he film was cool, and furthermore it was surprisingly funny, and perhaps the film should of been advertised as an action comedy. The Spirit was entertaining because of its quirky lines, and its aesthetic appeal. Samuel Jackson was funny, and Eva Mendez was perfect for the role. According to metacritic.com the film received generally negative reviews. And according to rottentomatoes.com the film earned 9 fresh tomatoes to 47 rotten ones thus far. This film was OK, I'll give it a C. Stay tuned, movieporium.blogspot.com.


Trailer


Movie Clip


Samuel Jackson and Scarlett Johansson Interview


Eva Mendez Interview

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: Struck By Lightning Seven Times

Official Site: www.benjaminbutton.com
Director(s): David Fincher
Writer(s): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Producer(s): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson(IMDb). Rated PG-13. 159 minutes.

Benjamin Button was born an old baby. Nice and wrinkled. His father Thomas Button(Jason Flemyng) was horrified by this grotesque baby. Witnessing this abnormal birth led him to abandon Benjamin on the steps of a retirement home, where he would be loved an raised by Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), the woman who became Benjamin's mother, and unlike Thomas Button, Queenie considered Benjamin a miracle.

Upon seeing the trailer for this film, I expected to see something unique, long, and interesting, and indeed the film was just that. Benjamin had a fascinating life, characterized by people of different vocations, and ambitions. Seemingly, Benjamin's life was shaped more by the people he met rather than what he did for a living. Benjamin would inherit some wealth but not the sort that enabled him to live a decadent life. A very humble man, who was slow to anger, Benjamin loved people more than anything else.

The film was well casted. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett had awesome chemistry on screen, same as they did in Babel, and the rest of the cast performed marvelously .The pace of the film was slow on the precipice of boredom, but it certainly was not boring. It's difficult to describe the tone of the film. The word that comes to mind is tranquil. This film had its sad moments and funny ones as well. The main theme of the film indicated even if one were to age backward, there is the impending doom of youth, and at one point in the film I felt how alone Benjamin was because of his condition.

According to metacritic.com, the film received generally favorable reviews, and according to rottentomatoes.com the film received 85 fresh tomatoes to 31 rotten ones thus far. Good Stuff! I'll grade it between an A- and a B+. Stay tuned, movieporium.blogspot.com. Benjamin Button Script.

Trailer


The Cast


Cate Blanchett Interview


Brad Pitt Interview

What Would Jesus Buy?

Christmas means gifts, long work hours, holiday parties with family and friends, frustration because a retail store does not have the gift you want in stock, and increased debt. This documentary focuses on debt related to Christmas, consumerism associated with Christmas, and the powerful corporations such as Walmart, and Disney that benefit from mass consumerism.

Last night I spent time with my best friend and his family at the usual Christmas eve party, and one of his family members mentioned how much work is involved in Christmas. She had to set her alarm one morning just to wake up early to wrap gifts, and one Christmas she hid a gift in her closet that she completely forgot about. During that conversation my best friend mentioned that Christmas was far more enjoyable when he was kid. Well, that's probably because he was receiving the gifts, and not shopping for them.

Karate Kid Remake Set For 2010

According to the Huffingtonpost.com there will be a remake of The Karate Kid, starring Jayden Smith (Will Smith's son) who actually trains in martial arts. The story will remain the same, but the locations are different. The film will be shot overseas starting next year in Beijing and other cities. Will Smith will be one of the producers, and China Film Group will co-produce, and the film will be released by Columbia Pictures. Chris Murphy is writing the script.

I 'm curious about this remake, but who will replace Mr. Miyagi. No one! Wax on wax off as become part of American vernacular.Only Pat Morita can say that line. Well, let us see what happens. Will Smith is involved so maybe this will not be all that bad. Karate Kid Full Length Film. Karate Kid Script.

Sweep The Leg. No Mercy.