Monday, July 28, 2014

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith [2005]

Genre: action, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi

Duration: 140 min

Rating: 7,7/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
As the Clone Wars near an end, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious steps out of the shadows, at which time Anakin succumbs to his emotions, becoming Darth Vader and putting his relationships with Obi-Wan and Padme at risk.

Director: George Lucas
Stars: Hayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregor 


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Transcendence [2014]

Genre: drama, mystery, sci-fi, thriller

Duration: 119 min

Rating: 6,4/10
My Rating: 9/10

About:
Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him. However, in their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed-to be a participant in his own transcendence. For his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and best friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), both fellow researchers, the question is not if they can...but if they should. Their worst fears are realized as Will's thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.

Director:  Wally Pfister
Stars: Johnny DeppRebecca HallMorgan Freeman


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Moonrise Kingdom [2012]

Genre: comedy, drama, romance

Duration: 94 min

Rating: 7,8/10
My Rating: 6/10

About:
Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, as a young boy and girl fall in love they are moved to run away together. Various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down -- which might not be such a bad thing.

Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Jared GilmanKara HaywardBruce Willis 


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The Way Way Back [2013]

Genre: comedy, drama

Duration: 103 min

Rating: 7,4/10
My Rating: 9/10

About:
Duncan (Liam James) is not a popular kid and it doesn't look like the summer is going to offer anything better for him. His mother's boyfriend has invited them to his beach house where Duncan is expected to improve his personality and physical appearance, and meet girls. But his would-be step-sister doesn't want anything to do with him and his shy demeanor makes it difficult for him to meet anybody new. When Duncan wanders into the Water Wizz, the local water park, he meets adult employees who are just having fun. Owen (Sam Rockwell) lets Duncan work with him and their new-found bond will help each other mature and find their place in life. Which for Duncan means standing up to his would-be step-father, having a conversation with the girl next door and being more comfortable with who he is.

Director: Nat FaxonJim Rash
Stars: Liam James, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell


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Mirror Mirror [2012]

Genre: adventure, comedy, drama, family, fantasy

Duration: 106 min

Rating: 5,6/10
My Rating: 7/10

About:
After a beloved King vanishes, his ruthless wife seizes control of the kingdom and keeps her beautiful 18-year-old stepdaughter, Snow White, hidden away in the palace. But when the princess attracts the attention of a charming and wealthy visiting prince, the jealous Queen banishes the girl to a nearby forest. Taken in by a band of rebellious but kindhearted dwarfs, Snow White blossoms into a brave young woman determined to save her country from the Queen. With the support of her new friends, she roars into action to reclaim her birthright and win back her Prince in this magical adventure comedy that will capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences the world over.

Director:  Tarsem Singh
Stars: Lily CollinsJulia RobertsArmie Hammer


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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Crazy, Stupid, Love. [2011]

Genre: comedy, drama, romance

Duration: 118 min

Rating: 7,5/10
My Rating: 6/10


About:
A middle-aged husband's life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a newfound friend, Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars.

Director: Glenn FicarraJohn Requa
Stars: Steve CarellRyan GoslingJulianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon


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Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters [2013]

Genre: action, fantasy, horror

Duration: 88 min

Rating: 6,1/10
My Rating: 9/10

About:
The siblings Hansel and Gretel are left alone in the woods by their father and captured by a dark witch in a candy house. However they kill the witch and escape from the spot. Years later, the orphans have become famous witch hunters. When eleven children go missing in a small village, the Mayor summons Hansel and Gretel to rescue them, and they save the red haired Mina from the local sheriff that wants to burn her accusing Mina of witchcraft. Soon they discover that the Blood Moon will approach in three days and the powerful dark witch Muriel is the responsible for the abduction of children. She intends to use the children together with a secret ingredient in a Sabbath to make the coven of witches protected against the fire. Meanwhile Hansel and Gretel disclose secrets about their parents.

Director: Tommy Wirkola
Stars: Jeremy RennerGemma Arterton


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Bridge to Terabithia [2007]

Genre: adventure, drama, family, fantasy

Duration: 96 min

Rating: 7,2/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
Jesse Aarons trained all summer to become the fastest runner in school, so he's very upset when newcomer Leslie Burke outruns him and everyone else. Despite this and other differences, including that she's rich, he's poor, and she's a city girl, he's a country boy, the two become fast friends. Together, they create Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres, and giants and rule as king and queen. This friendship helps Jess cope with the tragedy that makes him realize what Leslie taught him. 

Director: Gabor Csupo
Stars: Josh HutchersonAnnaSophia RobbZooey Deschanel 


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Thor: The Dark World [2013]

Genre: action, adventure, fantasy

Duration: 112 min

Rating: 7,2/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
When Jane Foster is possessed by a great power, Thor must protect her from a new threat of old times: the Dark Elves.

Director: Alan Taylor
Stars: Chris HemsworthNatalie PortmanTom Hiddleston


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Thor [2011]

Genre: action, adventure, fantasy

Duration: 115 min

Rating: 7/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
The warrior Thor (Hemsworth) is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard by his father Odin (Hopkins) for his arrogance and sent to Earth to live among humans. Falling in love with scientist Jane Foster (Portman) teaches Thor much-needed lessons, and his new-found strength comes into play as a villain from his homeland sends dark forces toward Earth. 

Director: Kenneth BranaghJoss Whedon (uncredited)
Stars: Chris HemsworthAnthony HopkinsNatalie Portman


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The Meaning of Life [1983]

Genre: comedy

Duration: 107 min

Rating: 7,6/10
My Rating: 9/10

About:
Why are we here, what's it all about? The Monty Python-team is trying to sort out the most important question on Earth: what is the meaning of life? They do so by exploring the various stages of life, starting with birth. A doctor seems more interested in his equipment than in delivering the baby or caring for the mother, a Roman Catholic couple have quite a lot of children because 'every sperm is sacred'. In the growing and learning part of life, catholic schoolboys attend a rather strange church service and ditto sex education lesson. Onto war, where an officer's plan to attack is thwarted by his underlings wanting to celebrate his birthday and an officer's leg is bitten off by presumably an African tiger. At middle age a couple orders 'philosophy' at a restaurant, after which the film continues with live organ transplants. The autumn years are played in a restaurant, which, after being treated to the song 'Isn't It Awfully Nice to Have a Penis?' by an entertainer, sees the arrival ... 

Director: Terry JonesTerry Gilliam
Stars:  Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland


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Life of Brian [1979]

Genre: comedy

Duration: 94 min

Rating: 8,2/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
Irreverent satire of Biblical films and religious intolerance focuses on Brian, a Jew in Roman-occupied Judea. After joining up with an anti-Roman political organization, Brian is mistaken for a prophet, and becomes a reluctant Messiah.

Director: Terry Jones
Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin


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Friday, July 11, 2014

Monty Python and the Holy Grail [1975]

Genre: adventure, comedy, fantasy

Duration: 91 min

Rating: 8,4/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
The movie starts out with Arthur, King of the Britons, looking for knights to sit with him at Camelot. He finds many knights including Sir Galahad the pure, Sir Lancelot the brave, the quiet Sir Bedevere, and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot. They do not travel on horses, but pretend they do and have their servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse's hooves. Through satire of certain events in history (witch trials, the black plague) they find Camelot, but after literally a quick song and dance they decide that they do not want to go there. While walking away, God (who seems to be grumpy) come to them from a cloud and tells them to find the Holy Grail. They agree and begin their search. While they search for the Grail, scenes of the knight's tales appear and why they have the name they have. Throughout their search they meet interesting people and knights along the way. Most of the characters die; some through a killer rabbit (which they defeat with the holy ...

Director: Terry GilliamTerry Jones
Stars: Graham ChapmanJohn CleeseEric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin


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Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [2002]

Genre: action, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi

Duration: 142 min

Rating: 6,8/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
Ten years after the 'Phantom Menace' threatened the planet Naboo, Padmé Amidala is now a Senator representing her homeworld. A faction of political separatists, led by Count Dooku, attempts to assassinate her. There are not enough Jedi to defend the Republic against the threat, so Chancellor Palpatine enlists the aid of Jango Fett, who promises that his army of clones will handle the situation. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi continues to train the young Jedi Anakin Skywalker, who fears that the Jedi code will forbid his growing romance with Amidala.

Director: George Lucas
Stars: Hayden ChristensenNatalie PortmanEwan McGregor


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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace [1999]

Genre: action, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi

Duration: 136 min

Rating: 6,6/10
My Rating: 10/10

About:
The evil Trade Federation, led by Nute Gunray is planning to take over the peaceful world of Naboo. Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to confront the leaders. But not everything goes to plan. The two Jedi escape, and along with their new Gungan friend, Jar Jar Binks head to Naboo to warn Queen Amidala, but droids have already started to capture Naboo and the Queen is not safe there. Eventually, they land on Tatooine, where they become friends with a young boy known as Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon is curious about the boy, and sees a bright future for him. The group must now find a way of getting to Coruscant and to finally solve this trade dispute, but there is someone else hiding in the shadows. Are the Sith really extinct? Is the Queen really who she says she is? And what's so special about this young boy? 

Director:  George Lucas
Stars: Ewan McGregorLiam NeesonNatalie Portman


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Thursday, July 3, 2014

The Back-up Plan [2010]

Genre: comedy, romance

Duration: 106 min

Rating: 5,2/10
My Rating: 5/10

About:
Zoe is a woman who has a hard time letting anyone into her life. She has a habit of pushing people away whenever they get close. She wants to have a baby but because she has no man in her life, she decides to be artificially inseminated. Shortly after having the procedure she meets a guy named Stan, and she feels a spark. When she tells him about her pregnancy, she thinks he'll bail but he sticks with her. 

Director: Alan Poul
Stars: Jennifer LopezAlex O'Loughlin


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Breaking Bad [2008-2013]

Genre: crime, drama, thriller

Duration: 5 seasons, 62 episodes, each episode around 45 min

Rating: 9,6/10
My Rating: 8/10

About:
When chemistry teacher Walter White is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given only two years to live, he decides he has nothing to lose. He lives with his teenage son, who has cerebral palsy, and his wife, in New Mexico. Determined to ensure that his family will have a secure future, White embarks on a career of drugs and crime. He proves to be remarkably proficient in this new world as he begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with one of his former students. The series tracks the impacts of a fatal diagnosis on a regular, hard working man, and explores how a fatal diagnosis affects his morality and transforms him into a major player of the drug trade.

Stars: Bryan CranstonAaron PaulAnna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte


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