TRUMBO

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REVIEWED 

This is a true story basing on the life of Dalton Trumbo a Hollywood screen writer in the 1950's. He was a communist and how and at the time the US Government suppressed them for their beliefs and what the govt believe and want the people to believe about them. Many known characters we know were in the movie such as Kirk Douglas, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan etc. John Wayne was revealed as the bad guy while Kirk Douglas became the good guy.

This movie rise on good acting and good story telling. You tend to admire Dalton Trumbo how he stood for his beliefs and how he made ends meet by not revealing his works. Actually, watching this movie it makes one realized the birth of a movie is from its writer. He or she is like a story teller thinking of the plots the character etc etc. The Director is interpreting what the writer wrote. A good script or dialogue starts from the writer's effort.

Bryan Cranston played Trumbo well. From his performance you believe he is the real deal, not the actor but the writer. In fact he's been nominated for awards. Diane Lane looking old but still insanely slim. Not much from her as her character was the quite one. Elle Fanning (thats why that gal looks familiar) is now grown up, so tall, taller than her sister Dakota. Helen Mirren, is a no brainer.

This is a good movie of the higher standard.Thou its not an action one, the pacing is fast in editing itself. You are never bored always something for you to know and question all along the way.

Watching a movie like this, you realised in those days when the movie are still not in color and the camera works is stationary, audience are absorbed by what they heard in the dialogues. Thats why classic vintage movies can stand the test of time.

One morale of the movie is that why the government is hunting for communists who did nothing wrong at that time except the propaganda the govt cooked that they are Russian spies. As Trumbo nicely put it to one of his prosecutors who apparently went to jail due to tax fraud. "We didnt do anything wrong but what you did was criminal". That brought the concept closer to home. Why branded people as wrong  when you let the biggest crooks right in front of your eyes slipped away.  

MOUNTAIN MEN

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American Idol 1509

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THE RITCHIE BLACKMORE STORY

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REVIEWED

This is a 1 1/2 hour documentary on the man in black, Ritchie Blackmore. The documentary comprise of interviews with RB about the day he was born until present. It has all the albums he was involved in explained one by one including with his current partner (?) Candice Night. In between, there also interviews from familiar faces in the industry some of them were David Coverdale, Gene Simmons, Steve Lukather, Steve Vai, Glen Hughes, Jon Lord (deceased), Joe Lyn Turner, Graham Bonnet, Brian May etc etc. Also were flashbacks of his concerts and performances, cover albums, etc etc.

After watching this, you may finally know the man and his accomplishment. Born in 1945 now 70 years old and he is still kicking. Good for him.

The documentary never hide the fact that he is a hard man to get with in short temper and tantrums. His rivalry with Ian Gillan is nothing new. But all interviewed agreed that he is a character that no one seems to know much. Thats why his mastery didnt make people thought of him as one of the greatest guitarist to have lived.

But I think Gene Simmons put it spot on. He said that RB must get the spotlight and let the light shine on him if not he will be forever be underrated for he had accomplished and whom he had influenced (or something in that context).   

A must for Rtchie Blackmore's, Deep Purple's and Rainbow' fans.

FIGHT TO THE FINISH

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BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE : THE RISE OF THADLAND

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REVIEWED

I did not finish watching this crap. Got thru half way thinking that better not waste 40mins more watching this crap.

The start of the movie showed some potential on what was coming. How one former college guy by the name of Thad Castle now a football superstar who can afford everything. Then the focus went back to his former college where his sorority house was about to go on sale. So the whole football team led by its Captain went to see Thad begging him to buy the house which they fondly called The Goat House.

The only actor I know in the movie (to the point of watching it) was Thad. He played the muscular stutured guy in the "Wedding Ringer". His character was more or less the same but without the stutter. 

Whats bad was that I couldnt stand the stupidity of those in the movie. Some of the jokes are simply offensive and definitely would not make it to the big screen. The one joke that got me really irritated was during the house auction. How dumb can this Thad be when he joined the bid at $3mil when the current bidding was $240k !!!! And he went on to win the bid (nobody was challenging him anyway)  at $5mil !!! I know its just jokes but when it insult the brain its kindda of irritating.

This film is backed by the Legendary company and not some small start ups company. Simply A Shame !  

THE CHALLENGER

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REVIEWED

This is a decent (not great) boxing movie. Not that great as some of the Rocky films or even Southpaw but you might not mind watching and enjoying it if you are a boxing fan.

The only actor I know who also produced this movie is the late Michael Clarke Duncan. BTW he died in 2012 but this movie was released only 2015. It is MCD last movie. Why ? Maybe to bank in on "Creed" popularity ?

One thing for sure about this movie and its similarities with Rocky is Kent Moran. Like Slyvester Stallone who did Rocky, K Moran also directed, wrote and starred in this movie. Not as good as his counterpart but commendable enough for multi tasking the film. There is a cliche in the film about using an old boxing short which was won by Duane (MCD) and his father before him. Problem to me, how can he fit in and why the short looks brand new ? Anyway that was a cliche from Rocky and Creed too.

The movie has a plot because from the start you may be wondering why Jaden Miller (KM) has a black mother ? This was explained eventually and nicely too as you get into the film. Quite logic too and accepted. Anyway, the story would not end if its aint because of the mother.

The boxing choreography looks sloopish not as good as other boxing movies. Question is - why so many falls from both boxers in the final fight ? I thought in boxing you cannot fall more than 3 times even if you make the count. Still cant buy how a kid from nowhere can be fighting for the light heavy title of the world within 1 year ? 

The film could have been more interesting if Jaden's final opponent looks menacing that he did. Where one look you know that he is the bad guy like Clubber Lang or Ivan Drago of the Rocky series. In this one his opponent is a pretty boy who looks cuter than Jaden !

Dont miss this film if you are a boxing fan. If not, still watch it as a tribute to Michael Clarke Duncan.

QUEEN OF THE DESERT

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REVIEWED
This is based on the story of Getrund Bell the daughter of a British dignitary  whole lived in Taheran, lost the love of her life, and decide to travel around countries around the region.She gained respect among the places she went even respected by enemies of her Country. Her qualification was archaeology but her hobby was also capturing what she saw on film.

Before watching, one fact that i gathered from IMDB, was that Nicole Kidman acted in every scene in the film except the first one. That must have been tedious work for her. Imagine having to film in the desert delivering every lines in every part of the film. To me thats no more than a Starring role and bigger than that. Even there are films where actor appeared briefly and they term them as "Actors in Starring Role". This is a 2hr 8min film. And to do that you must be some actor. The audience would love it if they are your fan but others would despise you if they are not.

Now lets get back to the film,
Other familiar faces other than NK are James Franco, Damian Lewis and John Pattison. They all happen to be Getrund's lovers or almost become one. Here you see how Australian and American trying to be British.

My complained is that whenever foreign language was spoken, there should be subtitles unless a translator is around. No doubt Getrund can speak the language but who are we to understand them. There are instances when suddenly they start to speak in English.

From this movie, I came to know the camels a bit closer. They are noisy animals, unlike horses, i am sure when they make noises among themselves, is that they are disgruntling on what they humans are doing with them, riding and carrying heavy things on their backs. Camels are expressive and funnier than horses all right.

This movie is a love story too. But be ready to know love when it was then. Corresponding by letters and using very romantic and cheesy expressions. How romantic and die hard these people were when in love. Well that was back then. Now days some love are simply not that worth it especially when theres a lot of deceiving going round.

See this movie if you want to know on the life of Getrund Bell who won respect and admiration among the arabs even when she was a woman and without an official title from Britain for her role. Slow story but wonderfully told.

BREAKDOWN

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REVIEWED

Another British production movie with actors I am not familiar. Produced by the Fairbrass family where Craig is the main actor. He might possibly be some wrestler or boxer trying the acting world. Not bad in acting but I sometimes can't make out what he was murmuring about.

The plot is quite familiar as its about the UK mob or hitmen. Where a hitman suddenly had visions of what he is doing is wrong and he want out. Hitman loves his family and would do anything to protect them. His employer didnt want that and the story continues. 

Unlike others stories of such familiarity, the family comprising of wife and daughter support his intention of wanting out and forgiving and would forget who he was. In fact, they more or less became killers themselves inherit the talent of the father/husband.

Like expected, the movie relies on its brutality and goriness when it come to shootings and killings. Blood splatter, like in other British movies, is plenty in this one. But there's one scene where technically could be wrong. When a man is shot with a shotgun at a close range (say 5 ft), it will be certain that the person in front of him about 3 ft away, would also be hit as the bullets bored a hole in the target's body. This did not happen. In fact no blood splatter in this particular moment..

Well thats a quick review of Breakdown. It has a fair balance of brutality and the tale of a hitman who love his family and put family above his other family for which his boss despise.

THE RACK PACK

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REVIEWED

This is a British film a true story on World Snooker Championship on the lives of mainly Alex Higgins and Steve Davis. It follows a timeline from 1972, when Alex Higgins won the world championship and Steve Davis was first discovered, to the late '80's.

This movie does not have a musical score. All its background music are favorite songs mixture of rock like Led Zep, The Who, EC, Hendrix, Queen to various others of Disco and even classical. But it was done nicely and with its type of presentation and editing, who needs musical score after all. It works on this not necessary fit to other movies. BTW, the budget for the movie is only $100k ??

What you learn from this movie in Sport and many other things, you must posses discipline and a good manager who can take care of you. Most of all, a manager where you respect and follow. Steve Davis had Barry who not only manage him, but found the potential in him and groom him up. Steve Davis may not be the most interesting sport character around but his discipline rose him up and he maintained at the top consistently.

Alex Higgins on the other hand is exactly the opposite. People might be entertain to his brat behavior and attitude but as time went by, they got fed up of his antics. He had a family but not a manager because he thought he dont need one. Even Barry approached him a long time before he self destruct but he was too arrogant to accept that he need one.

Watching Alex went thru the years was a tragedy. Even Steve Davis told him that he idolized the guy and he got a gift thats invaluable. 

Alex is played by Luke Treadaway (Luke who ?). The film stood because of Luke's portrayal of Alex. To me, his acting is Oscar material.

See the movie not only because you know or a fan of snooker. I aint one either. But learning on how to live and preserve your talent (if you have one) and enhance and protect it with your life not for your sake only but for the ones who love and depend on you.