A Christmas Story (1983)

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

- A Christmas Story

It's that time of the year again, Christmas - one of my favorite times of the year. And, in celebration I want to share with you one of my all time favorite Christmas movies - "A Christmas Story."



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Ever since I was a little kid, I've always enjoyed this movie. In fact, I watch it every year during Christmas. I guess, it's kind of an annual movie tradition!

Every year when I watch this film, it really brings back the "kid" in me. In a way, I feel this movie is geared towards reminding people of what it's like growing up as a kid during the Christmas season.

With each scene, it really reminds me of the Christmas traditions I went through every year growing up. In the movie, we see the family outing to choose a Christmas tree, the annual Christmas parade, and of course - the anticipated wait and visit to see Santa Claus.

Santa Claus Scene



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Now, the main theme of the movie centers around the age old question - "What do you want for Christmas?" And, we see this theme consistently portrayed throughout the whole film.

For each of the main characters, what they want for Christmas is different. For Ralphie (played by Peter Billingsley), what he wants for Christmas is what most kids want for Christmas - that special toy we've all had our eyes on.

Here's that special toy for Ralphie:



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To me, this movie is really about hope and our anticipation for that special day we all call "Christmas." There are times when things don't go exactly as planned. And, we just have to learn how to cope.

As in this scene here, the family ended up having Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant:



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Though Christmas did not exactly turn out the way it was planned, it's these experiences that make for the most memorable moments. Though, in the end it just goes to show - sometimes your wishes do come true. And, that is the magic of Christmas.

If you're in the mood for a Christmas type movie this holiday season, I highly recommend this film.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

(Note: For those who are fans of the movie, check out this special reunion video with the cast from the movie).

Happy Holidays!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!

More Holiday Reviews:

If you enjoyed my review of my favorite Christmas holiday movie, check out my fellow Filmgirl Force friends' reviews of their favorite holiday films!

Action Flick Chick: Ernest Saves Christmas
Just Chick Flicks: It's A Wonderful Life

Black Swan (2010)

When I first saw the trailer for this film, it looked like a very interesting yet typical drama type of movie. Though, after seeing the film - there was nothing typical about it at all.

Going into the movie, I tried very hard not to read the reviews. Though I do try to read reviews for the majority of films I plan on seeing, there are some that I prefer to go in "cold turkey" - this was one of them.

(Note: I really enjoy the element of "surprise" for films that really interest me. For me personally, I guess I enjoy this part of the movie going experience).

At first, I thought I had this movie all figured out. From the trailer, I thought I knew what the story was going to be all about. I was wrong. It wasn't what I expected at all. But, in a good way.

Natalie Portman plays the main character, Nina Sayers, an aspiring dancer and ballerina. She is filled with hopes and dreams of someday becoming a famous and great ballerina dancer. And, she worked hard at her craft.

Now, I'm going to be honest here. This is a movie where it's really important to pay attention. It's one of those films where if you miss certain details - they can be vital to the story. It's one of those kinds of movies.

In the beginning, I will admit - it was a bit slow. But, this was important to the story helping to set the tone for the movie. The characters were introduced, the story was set.

As the audience, I felt that I knew what kind of film this was going to be. There were a lot of anticipated moments yet to my surprise - the movie took a dramatic turn.

It was not the movie that I had expected. The characters in the film seemed so predictable. As it turns out, they were not what I had expected at all.

(Note: For those who have seen the film, you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm trying not to reveal too much because I just don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie yet).

This is really a film about perspective. And, the way we perceive things. Sometimes we may not see things the way others see them. Sometimes we see what we believe. Though, it may not be what others see at all.

As the audience, I felt there were certain parts (as well as characters) in the movie that I had figured out and believed to be true. This is what I saw. As the film progressed, I soon realized this was not the case at all.

This is really a different kind of movie, a unique kind of movie. And, I can honestly say - it wasn't what I expected at all. From the trailer, I was really prepared for a typical, drama type of movie. After seeing the film, it wasn't predictable - it really threw me for a loop.

So many times, I thought I had the film figured out - it really had a lot of twists and turns. There were times where I thought I knew the characters and the storyline only to be surprised by the turn in events.

For me personally, it truly was a very entertaining and unpredictable movie. I enjoyed it very much. It is definitely a movie that I will be watching again.

If you've seen the trailer for this film and it looks even a bit interesting to you, I highly recommend seeing this movie without reading too many reviews.

(Note: There are some reviews that may reveal some details in the film which may reveal too much and may spoil the movie for you).

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Murder By Numbers (2002)

"Let the mind games begin."

- Murder By Numbers

Recently, I re-visited this movie. Since I was in a crime movie kind of mood, I decided to check it out again.

Here Sandra Bullock plays a detective type of role. And, I must say - I do enjoy seeing her play these "tough" girl type of roles (such as in this movie).

This film is great in the way of it's execution and portrayal of an idea to perform and get away with the perfect murder. The way the clues and the evidence presented seemed to lead the detectives on the case in a certain direction - an obvious direction. Though, the real story of the crime was slowly and brilliantly revealed as the film progressed.

What I enjoyed about this film was the way it was presented. In parts it was subtle. And, in others - it was captivating. It had my attention throughout.

I especially enjoyed the exploration of the characters in the story. This was not a one sided movie - it had several sides to it. And, it revealed the complexities of human nature by the portrayal of the characters involved.

The movie was not predictable at all. While watching the film, I thought I had it figured out (just like Sandra Bullock's character). But, I was definitely surprised at the turn in events as the film progressed. There were many twists and turns - the suspense definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.

(Note: For those who have seen the movie, you'll know what I'm talking about).

I guess one thing I did learn from the movie was that anything can happen. We always think crimes happen from those who are unknown to us, people we do not know. But, in reality - crimes can happen closer to home.

As for the end, I think it was brilliant in its execution. There was a part where I thought the movie had ended, where I thought the crime was solved. But, there was a twist - a small piece of evidence that revealed the truth about the crime.

It showed what had really happened from a different perspective, not the perspective we had been exposed to as the audience. And, it was interesting to see how the bits and pieces came together. It definitely threw me for a loop and made for a good ending.

If you're in the mood for a crime and thriller type of film, I do recommend this one.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Jonah Hex (2010)

"Revenge gets ugly."

- Jonah Hex

When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I thought it looked pretty interesting. Actually, I thought it was going to be one of those unique kind of films. And, I was right.

Going into the movie, it started out with a bang - lots of action, lots of violence. Being a creation of DC Comics, there was a certain "comic book" feel and style to the film as well. To be honest, it had it's own unique style.

(Note: For all the comic book fans out there, you'll notice a few similarities with the storyline of this film compared to this movie. The topic of vengeance seems to be a running theme throughout the film).

As for the storyline, I felt the story itself had potential. Though, there were many parts that were hard to identify with. Maybe if I had been a fan of the comic than maybe it would be easier for me to understand. But, I had not read the comic going into the movie.

Since the movie is more of a western type movie, I think those who have an appreciation for these types of films as well as comics may better receive this one than others.

To be honest, I think this film was written more for the fans and those who understand the comic over the mass public. As someone who is unfamiliar with the comic book story, It was just a bit difficult to understand the film in certain parts.

Though, I do have to give this movie credit for its uniqueness. I think there were some very unique moments in the movie as far as character development. I especially enjoyed Jonah Hex' special powers.

(Note: For those who have seen the film, you'll know what I'm talking about. I don't want to ruin the movie for those who have not seen it. But, let's just say the special powers Jonah Hex possessed were very cool and unique to his character).

Overall, I think the movie was more geared towards fans of the comic than anything else. For me personally, it was a bit hard to understand at parts. And, there were certain characters that were introduced that didn't quite resonate with me being unfamiliar with the comic.

To be honest, it was a bit theatrical - almost too over the top. Sure, it did have lots of action (in true western style). And, it even had it's own unique comic book style. But, I still left feeling there were some gaps in the movie and parts left unanswered.

As for the end, it just didn't leave me satisfied. I felt like I had watched a film that I had not quite understood. Maybe it was me, maybe it was not written for those who were unfamiliar with the comic. But, it just didn't do it for me.

If you really want to see this film and are a fan of the comic, I'd say it may be worth it for you. If not, you may have the same experience as me - you may want to skip this one all together.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: FAIL

(Note: For those who enjoyed the film, these are just my thoughts - it just didn't do it for me).

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Splice (2009)

"She's not human...not entirely."

- Splice

When I first saw the trailer to this film, it didn't look like something that I really wanted to see. So, I held off on seeing it. Though, it did peak my curiosity...just a bit.

Recently, I made the decision to go ahead and check it out. Going into the movie, I had heard some really bad reviews about it. And, I knew going in - I may not like it.

But, I guess my curiosity got the better of me. Was it worth it? To be honest, I think it was executed pretty badly but had some really good entertainment value (kind of like this movie).

In a way, I guess the trailer can be a bit misleading. When I first saw the trailer, I thought I knew what the movie was going to be all about. And, I assumed the film would just take place in one location. But, I was wrong.

At first, the film is a bit slow. It introduces you to the characters and their lives. At times, the first couple of scenes felt kind of slow.

(Note: For those who have seen the film, you'll know what I'm talking about).

But, the movie does take a turn (about halfway through). To be honest, it really surprised me. From there, let me just say - the events that happened were pretty unexpected. Quite frankly, I was shocked at some of the scenes and events that took place in the film - it truly threw me for a loop.

(Note: For those who have not seen the movie yet, I don't want to ruin it for you but let's me just say - there were a lot of "in your face" type moments that really shocked me).

In my opinion, I guess some of the scenes and events were really quite unexpected and a bit over the top. But, at the same time - it really did have some entertainment value. To be honest, I was stunned yet entertained at the same time. There were some parts of the movie that were so out there yet amused me at the same time.

(Note: For those who have seen the film, you'll know what I'm talking about).

As for the movie itself, I think it had an interesting storyline. Though, it just was not executed that well. And, I think they could have made the story better.

There were parts that were interesting but at the same time - parts that were just too unbelievable and over the top. I think if they changed a few things with the script, it could have worked with better execution.

If you're looking for a really good sci-fi movie with a good storyline and meaning, this film is probably not the best pick. Though, if you enjoy sci-fi type films and want to be entertained in a comedic way - I'd say this film does have some entertainment value.

(Note: When I say "comedic way," it's style and entertainment value can be kind of compared to this movie).

All in all, I'd say this movie would be really fun to watch with a group (if there's nothing else out there to watch). To be honest, I have no more words for this film - I really don't know what else to say. It was both intriguing yet shocking and amusing to watch at the same time.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: NEUTRAL

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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The Town (2010)

When I first saw the trailer for the movie, it really caught my eye. So, I decided to go and check it out.

Going into the film, I was really hoping this would be an interesting movie - one with a good story. Though, the story had a neat concept - I was very disappointed. Why?

To say the least, this movie really dragged in parts. And, it just wasn't the film alone - the dialogue along with the acting was not so great (in my opinion).

(Note: To be honest, I'm not much of a Ben Affleck fan. For the most part, his acting ability does not quite make it to the top of my list. But, that's just me).

For me personally, I felt some scenes felt "forced" and just did not come out naturally. Apart from the poor acting and the dialogue, it made it even worse that the movie seemed to really drag. Sure, there were a couple good action scenes. But, to be honest - there were some points in the film where it just lost my attention completely.

(Note: During these parts of the movie, I actually started to check the time. It was that slow).

Regarding the story itself, it had an interesting concept. Though, I felt that in parts - it just was executed poorly. With better dialogue along with better acting, I think this movie could have worked. But, the way it was - it just didn't do it for me.

(Note: Maybe it was me, but I felt the robbing of the bank scenes with the nuns outfits were a bit too copied from the opening scene of this movie. It just didn't feel original).

Can some people relate to this movie? It's possible. And, I believe this film definitely has an audience. If it were done better, then maybe I would have enjoyed it more. Just my thoughts.

If you've been thinking about seeing this film, I'd say - save your money. It's really not worth it in my opinion. But, if you really want to see it - it's best to hold off and watch as a rental.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: FAIL

(Note: For those who enjoyed the film, these are just my thoughts - it just didn't do it for me).

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

Since I enjoyed the first movie, I decided to see the sequel. And, of all the nights - I saw this one on Halloween.

Going into this movie, I would say it's best to reacquaint yourself with the first one. Why? The reason being is that both movies are connected.

To be honest, it's more of a time line kind of issue. But, you will see a few familiar faces from the first movie. For those who have not seen the first one, it may be a bit confusing. So, I definitely recommend seeing the first film before watching this one.

(Note: For those who have seen this film already, you'll know what I'm talking about).

Regarding the film itself, it's very similar to the style of the first movie - documentary style. At first, I thought the home was the same home as the first. But, as the film progressed - it looked a bit different.

Since I had seen the first movie and was familiar with the documentary style, I was in anticipation as I watched the movie. So many times, I thought something spooky was going to happen. As it turns out, many of these scenes in the beginning were probably meant to keep the audience in anticipation.

(Note: So many times during the movie, I thought I saw shadows of monsters in the background during the night scenes. But, they were only regular objects. I'm wondering if they meant to give it that type of effect. Or, maybe my mind was playing tricks on me!)

In the beginning, the scenes were a bit short. And, many times - the camera view switched towards different parts of the home. As this happened throughout the film, it became faster every time (to show a change in day and night).

Compared to the first movie, this film felt like it went a bit faster. It was more the setting of the story and changes between night and day. To be honest, it was a bit tedious to keep seeing the same parts of the home over and over again with no change. Though, there is a reason to show this as the movie progresses.

As for the story itself, just like the first one - it's a bit comical at first. Being similar to the first movie, I would highly recommend watching this one with a group of friends. It's just very funny to watch some of the scenes and even more around a group of people.

(Note: For those of you who saw the movie, you'll know what I'm talking about. I especially enjoyed the pool scene. It was truly spooky and comical at the same time!)

So, I'm sure you're wondering if this is a scary movie or not. Though it follows the same formula as the first one, I would say it's just not as spooky and has the same effect as the first film.

With the first movie, we really didn't know what to expect. So, a lot of what happened in the first film was unexpected. And, I can honestly tell you - I felt extremely spooked out after seeing the first movie.

But, this film just didn't give me the same feeling as the first. To be honest, it was a bit more comical and funny than the first. Even during the scary parts, I laughed. I guess some of the scenes and the effects in this one made it less believable and more comical. But, that's just me.

(Note: For those who have seen this movie, you'll know what I'm talking about. Towards the end, some of the scenes just didn't seem real. I was actually laughing more than being afraid).

As for the end of the film, it didn't seem as disturbing as the first. And, in a way - it seemed like it just didn't have closure. The end was open ended and left to interpretation.

(Note: For those who have seen the film, I'm thinking they ended the movie the way they did in order to do another sequel. Maybe there are a series of movies planned for this franchise).

All in all, I would say this movie had it's moments. There were definitely a few scary scenes. It was "ok." And, it was entertaining at times. But, it just didn't have the same effect as the first film.

If you're in the mood for a horror type movie, I'd say this one is best to watch as a rental.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: NEUTRAL

(Note: For those who are fans of the film, definitely check out the spoof. Thanks for watching!)

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Indie Film Trailer - London River

Since it's Indie Movie Monday (#IndieMM), I thought I'd post up this indie film trailer, "London River," directed by Rachid Bouchareb . Check it out!

"Set against the backdrop of the 7th July 2005 bombings, London River tells the story of a friendship which develops between two seemingly unconnected people - Elizabeth (Brenda Bleythn) and Ousmane (Sotigui Kouyate). Both of them have come to London to search for their children who are missing in the aftermath of the bombings.

Although they come from different religious backgrounds - Ousmane is an African Muslim living in France and Elizabeth is a white Christian living in Guernsey, they share the same hope of finding their children alive. Putting aside their cultural differences, they give each other the strength to continue the search and maintain their faith in humanity."

Note: For more info about the movie, feel free to visit the website. Thanks for reading!

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me here or through my Facebook Page. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)



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Red (2010)

"Still armed. Still dangerous. Still got it."

- Red

When I first saw the trailer to this movie, I knew it was a film I wanted to see. It seemed like a movie that had it all: action, humor, and a bit of heart. Plus, with an all star cast - why not? It was definitely worth the wait.

Going into the film, I must admit - I read many reviews about it. It was interesting to read how this movie was compared to "The Expendables" being that it's a movie filled with both action and humor. But, something told me this film was definitely going to be better than "The Expendables." I was right.

(Note: For those who are interested, I saw "The Expendables" - I wasn't very impressed. Yes, it had a lot of action with some great action sequences. But, that's about it. As far as the overall movie and storyline, it didn't really rank that high at the top of my list. Sorry, just my opinion (for the fans of the film).

So, why is this movie called "Red?" Good question.

"Red" is an acronym that stands for: Retired, Extremely Dangerous. And let me tell you, the characters portrayed in the movie are extremely dangerous. I especially enjoyed both Bruce Willis' (who plays Frank Moses) and John Malkovich's (who plays Marvin Boggs) performances.

At the heart of it, this is a movie about growing older. And, I think many people can relate to this film. Though growing old is a way of life for us all, it does not mean we become useless and life has to be dull.

Even though we may grow old physically, if we are still young in our minds then we will always remain young at heart. And, being young at heart will give us the ability to make ourselves useful again.

In a way, I think growing old gives us life experiences. With experience, comes knowledge. And, with knowledge comes wisdom.

In the movie, the wisdom of team "Red" really comes out through all the characters. Each bring experience to the table, each bring their strengths. And, I found it quite entertaining to see how each of the characters really showcased themselves in the film.

So many times, we're used to seeing movies that involve young, superhero types. But, this movie begs the question - what happens when these superheroes grow older? Are they still superheroes? Or, do they retire away to seclusion?

In a sense, I think it's a little bit of both. Though, it's quite a dramatic change to live the fast life and then all of a sudden retire back to seclusion. It's one of those things where it's hard to get away from the kind of life you're used to living.

So, it's no wonder why some return to their prior lives even though they are older. It just goes to show that you can grow old physically, but if you are young at heart - you will remain young in your mind forever.

If you're looking for an action type of movie with a bit of humor and some heart, I definitely recommend this one.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

(Note: For another perspective on the film, check out my pal Action Flick Chick's review. Thanks for reading!)

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Hereafter (2010)

"What happens when we die?"

- Hereafter

Going into this film, I knew this was a different kind of movie. Since it's a film directed by Clint Eastwood, I knew this was a movie that was going to have meaning. I was right.

From the very beginning, this film captured my attention. The first couple of scenes were very intriguing and shocking at the same time. As the audience, you see what the characters sees as if you were in the situation yourself.

(Note: I won't ruin it for those who have not seen the movie, but let's just say there are situations depicted in the film where you think will never happen to you but they have to others. It's that real).

In a way, I think there are some who can relate to the film. It kind of makes you think and wonder, will this ever happen to me? For some, it has. And, for others it has not. But, for everyone else - we may know of someone or heard of someone we know where the unthinkable has happened to them. It's real. And, it's true.

The movie starts off by introducing different characters with three separate stories. And, these characters all have lives of their own - all in different parts of the world. But, as the movie progresses they all seem to experience the unknown. And, as fate may have it - all have something in common.

(Note: For those of you who have seen the movie, I thought the way the film unfolded and the way the stories were told were a bit like this movie).

On the surface, this may be a film that is viewed by some as a bit slow. Though some scenes may seem to be unnecessary on the exterior, I feel they added to the general tone and nature of the movie.

This is a movie that involves detail. And, it's one that's definitely important to pay attention to even the smallest things - they will connect and be quite relevant to the movie as it progresses.

I'm going to be honest, this is not a movie for everyone. It is for a much more sophisticated audience - it is a film that makes you think. It it not your typical Hollywood action type movie. It's truly a film that makes you wonder and think about the unknown.

It's a different kind of movie, not everyone will enjoy it. Those who are solely looking to be entertained with lots of action this is probably not for you. But, for those who are looking for a movie with meaning - you will not be disappointed.

As for the end of the film, I think Eastwood did a brilliant job in bringing everything together. If watching the film closely from beginning to end, you will understand the deeper meaning at the end and why he ended it the way he did.

(Note: For those who are Clint Eastwood fans, the movie's musical score is very "Eastwood" like in nature).

If you're in the mood for a different kind of movie with meaning that makes you think, I definitely recommend this one.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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The Social Network (2010)

Just recently, I went out and saw this film adapted from the book. Going into the movie, I had already had some background knowledge about the story since I had already read the book. I'm glad I did.

To be honest, this is really a film where you may need some background information about the story. For those interested in the movie, I highly recommend reading the book before seeing the movie. But, why?

The reason being is that the movie is really set in a way to introduce characters and events from the original story. It pans back and forth from present day to the past. And, without having any type of knowledge about the story and the characters one can get confused.

As for the film itself, there are some gaps in the movie as there are scenes presented that may not make sense to someone who is not familiar with the story. In a nutshell, I suggest reading the book before watching the movie to get a better understanding and feel for the story.

Regarding the storyline, I think it played true to the scenes and story presented in the book. Though, it seems like there were bits and pieces left out. With the time limit of film, it's understandable how some elements can be left out of a story.

With that being said, I think this film has a good story to tell. Though, I just feel it could have been done better.

This was not the great story I was hoping for. It seemed a bit jarred with bits and pieces, a little here and there. But, I just did not feel it had the "punch" it needed to be great. When it ended, my initial reaction was - "That's it?" To say the least, I was a bit disappointed.

(Note: For all the fans of the film, these are just my thoughts. To me, the movie just felt it lacked the "punch" to be great. Though, the trailer was done quite nicely).

The one thing that did stand out was the performance from both Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed Mark Zuckerberg, and surprisingly Justin Timberlake, who portrayed Sean Parker. Both actors portrayed their respective roles superbly. I was very impressed with both of their performances.

Overall, this movie seemed a bit low budget in nature. The story was there but I feel it could have been presented better. At times, it just seemed like they threw in bits and pieces together - I just did not feel that it had enough zing to it. In a way, it seemed like it was trying to tell a story but the story was just not entirely presented in a way that it could have been great -it lacked emotion. It could have been done better.

(Note: For those who have seen the movie, it really reminds me of this movie that was a bit similar in nature. Though, it was not made for the big screen - it was a television type of movie).

If you've been thinking about seeing this film, I recommend it more as a rental. It was "ok," but lacked the punch it needed to be great. If the movie had the same quality and feeling of the trailer, I think it could have been great.

Though, that's the thing - the film lacked the emotion and "punch" it needed to tell a great story. To me, the way the story was told and its presentation was just mediocre in nature.

For those who are really wanting to see the film, I highly recommend reading the book before seeing the movie. And, for those who have been debating whether to see this in the theatre - I recommend it more as a rental.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: NEUTRAL

(Note: For those interested, check out this entertaining film spoof based on the movie. Enjoy!)

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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The American (2010)

So, I was all set and ready to watch this film. When I first saw the trailer for the movie, it really looked interesting. From the trailer alone, it felt like a drama and thriller type of film. Since I was so impressed with George Clooney's performance in this movie, I thought this one would be the same. I was wrong.

The beginning of the movie actually started out with a very abrupt scene. It was a bit of a mystery why the types of things happened during this first part of the film. In a way, I guess it was a reason for me to watch more. And, I did.

(Note: For those who have seen the film, you'll know what I'm talking about).

Regarding the film itself, it was a bit of a mystery. There were bits and pieces revealed to the audience, but not everything all at once. At times, it was a bit slow. And, then it would pick up into an action scene or two. But, then it would go back again to the slowness of the film.

In a way, the majority of the scenes really seemed to me like normal, everyday life type of scenes. It definitely was not the drama and thriller type of film that I expected from when I first saw the trailer. To be honest, I think the trailer is a bit misleading - it just doesen't feel like the type of film depicted in the trailer. It's different. And, I'm not so sure if that's a good thing.

All in all, this movie was really slow. Sure, there were some action scenes here and there. But, they were very few and far between. At times, it really dragged. And, I felt a lot of the scenes portrayed the normal things people do in everyday life - it was a bit boring.

Overall, I wasn't too impressed with the movie. It didn't really have that much of a storyline. And, it really dragged at times. The few action scenes in the film didn't really make up for the slowness of the movie. As for the ending, it just wasn't that great.

For those who have been thinking about seeing this film, I'd say - save your money. It's really not worth it in my opinion. I don't even recommend it as a rental.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: FAIL

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

"If there's one thing I learned in prison it's that money is not the prime commodity in our lives...time is."

- Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Recently, I had the chance to see this sequel based on the original movie. And, I have to say - it was definitely a treat to see Michael Douglas playing the role of Gordon Gekko again. But, that's pretty much about all I enjoyed about this film.

As a fan of the first movie, I knew I wanted to see this one. But, somehow when I first saw the original trailer I didn't think it would be as good as the original - I was right.

Though, it did have it's ups and downs. And, yes - there were a few twists and turns with a few very unexpected moments. It really did surprise me.

(Note: For those who have seen the film, you'll know what I'm talking about. It was interesting to see how we were led to believe one thing but it really turned out differently. And, then it changed again near the end).

To be honest, this movie is really a film for those who have an interest in the world of finance. It's really made for those who are knowledgeable about the history of finance and who have followed the financial markets.

For those who are not as interested or knowledgeable about the finance industry, it may be a bit difficult to comprehend - there are many references and terminology used in the film that can only be understood for those who have an interest and knowledge about the topic of finance.

Regarding the film, the story really takes us back to the financial crisis and collapse of Wall Street in 2008. There are many references to the housing market at the time as well as the relationship and role home mortgages played during this period in history.

(Note: Again, this is really a movie for those who follow and have an interest in finance and the history of financial markets. It will be somewhat difficult to understand the references made for those who are not as knowledgeable or interested in the topic of finance).

At the heart of the movie, this film is really about one thing. And, that is greed and the impact greed can play on our society as well as our economy. Then, the question that is posed (as in the original film) remains the same. Is greed good?

Here's what Gordon Gekko had to say about the topic of greed in the original movie:



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The film really goes into the concept of greed by presenting the events that were a direct result of the speculation and the mania in our financial markets at the time. It really went into the mechanics of how speculation and perceptions can be manipulated to change entire markets - just like the original movie. But, this time - on a bigger scale and with more money.

To add to the story, there was a side story with Gordon Gekko's daughter, Winnie, played by Carey Mulligan, and Shia LaBeouf, which I didn't really care for. It was more of a distraction to the overall storyline than anything else - I didn't really see a need for it.

What I liked about the original movie was the focus on Bud Fox, played by Charlie Sheen, and his interaction and interest to work with his idol, Gordon Gekko. To me, that was what the original movie was all about - the game.

On the other hand, this film went back and forth between the game and the side story with Gekko's daughter. It just didn't make much sense. And, I just did not enjoy the scenes and the interactions in this part of the film.

Overall, I would say this movie is really one for those who have an interest and enjoy the subject of finance and follow the financial markets. It will be really difficult to comprehend some of the references (i.e. events, terminology, etc) in the movie for those who do not have the interest and/or knowledge about financial markets.

(Note: For those who have already seen the film, here's a list of "The 10 Best Quotes" from the movie).

As a fan of the original film, this movie was not as good as the original. But, it did interest me being a fan of the first film as well as having an interest in the subject of finance.

(Note: For those who are fans of Oliver Stone movies, I'd say there's some of his style in the movie. But, there are moments where the film takes on a different style as well. It's very mixed. Some parts do not look as professional as others in terms of editing, acting in certain scenes, etc. For those who have seen the film, you'll know what I'm talking about).

If you're a fan of the original film and also have an interest in finance, I'd say this movie is ok. Not great, but at the same time not the best. If I weren't a fan of the first film and did not have an interest in the subject of finance, I probably would not have enjoyed and understood this movie.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: NEUTRAL

(Note: For those who are fans of the original film, you're in for a real treat with this sequel. I don't want to ruin it for you but let's just say there's a surprise at one part of the movie - it's very unexpected. That's all I'm going to say!).

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Indie Film Spoof - Internet Part 2: An Intervention for MySpace

Since it's Indie Movie Monday (#IndieMM), I thought I'd share with you this indie film spoof. If you liked the first "Internet Party" spoof, you may want to check this one out too. Enjoy!

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me here or through my Facebook Page. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)



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Righteous Kill (2008)

"Most people respect the badge. Everybody respects the gun."

- Righteous Kill

Since I'm a fan of both Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, this movie was definitely one I looked forward to seeing. It was a real treat to see both of them side by side together in this film.

This movie is really one that can take you on a wild goose chase - it's really a "who done it" type of movie. Basically, the film is about a serial killer who goes around town killing those who kill others and do wrong.

(Note: It's interesting seeing this film, it kind of reminds me of this television series - it's kind of the same concept).

Both De Niro and Pacino play detectives assigned to the case. In turn, it then becomes a mystery - who is the serial killer? And, more importantly why is the serial killer doing the things that they are going - what's the motive?

All throughout the movie, there are bits and pieces of clues scattered around. Though, a lot of these clues can actually be a bit misread and misinterpreted. This is really a movie where it's important to pay attention - there's a series of flashbacks and scenes that play an important role to the overall story.

While watching the film, there were many times where I was a bit misled myself. So many times I thought I had figured out the true identity of the serial killer yet only to find that I had not. This film has a lot of twists and turns - the answer is not as simple and easy as some may think.

I will admit, this is really a movie for those who enjoy thriller type of films with a lot of twists and turns. If you're not really into thriller type movies, you may not enjoy this as much.

The film does have some moments where it can drag a bit. But, some of these moments are really important as they add to the clues presented in the story. And, it's one of those things where you really have to pay attention to the movie in order to help to see how the pieces all fit together.

Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. It really kept my attention throughout the film - the twists and turns really kept me wanting to watch more. Plus, it was a real treat to see both De Niro and Pacino on the big screen together.

If you enjoy thriller type of films with a lot of twists and turns, I do recommend this one.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Indie Film Spoof - The Internet Party

Since it's Indie Movie Monday (#IndieMM), I thought I'd share with you this indie film spoof. How many Internet websites can you recognize? Enjoy!

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me here or through my Facebook Page. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)



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Going the Distance (2010)

"A comedy about meeting each other halfway."

- Going the Distance

When I first saw the preview for this film, I knew it was something I definitely wanted to see. Though, I was a bit up in the air as to whether or not it was worth it to see in the movies or better to hold off as a rental.

As it turns out, I went to go see it recently at the movies. It was an "ok" type of film. But, it wasn't really the great story I had hoped for.

Basically, the concept of the movie touches upon the choices you make and how those choices can affect your life. One of the main themes of the film has to do with dealing with the choice between a career (money) and love. And, when it comes down to it - which choice is better? And, which will make you happy?

Of course, in the film both of the main characters, Erin (played by Drew Barrymore) and Garrett (played by Justin Long), really didn't want to make that choice - they wanted both the career (money) and love to both work out. Though, when faced between which to take - things didn't go the way they had hoped.

Though, there was one thing they failed to consider when making choices - their emotions. And, emotions are a part of us. No matter how much we try sometimes to base our decisions to be as objective as possible, our emotions are what makes us human.

In a way, this film kind of reminded me of this movie. Though, it did go in a linear time frame - it didn't switch between the present and the past.

As for the movie itself, it was entertaining and had some funny moments. The storyline did resemble a few other films I've seen in the past. And, it was a bit predictable.

Though, there was a point in the film where I thought it would end. To my surprise, it didn't end and kept going. In a way, I was a bit relieved - if it ended at this point it would have been a disappointment.

(Note: For those who have seen the movie, you'll know what I'm talking about. I was just a bit surprised that it didn't end at that point in the movie because it really seemed that it would).

Overall, I would say this is an "ok" movie. It wasn't horrible but at the same time it wasn't the greatest. I would say this is a movie best to watch as a rental for those times when you're in the mood for a romantic comedy type of film.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Indie Film Spoof - Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever

Since it's Indie Movie Monday (#IndieMM), I thought I'd share with you this indie film spoof. How many Academy Award winning movies can you recognize? Enjoy!

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me here or through my Facebook Page. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)

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Salt (2010)

When I first saw the trailer for this film, it really looked like a movie I wanted to see. Though, despite my interest after seeing the trailer - I waited a bit to see what others thought.

From the reviews I read, many people just didn't like the film. Though, I went to see it anyways. And, I can say - I was really disappointed.

The film started out with a really good storyline - it was very interesting and unique in its own way. Though, somehow the movie lost direction after awhile - things just started falling apart.

There was a point in the movie where I thought I knew which direction the film was going. And, if it had gone in the direction that I thought - I think it could have worked. But, it didn't - it took a turn. And, that turn was for the worse. It only went downhill from there.

(Note: For those who have seen the movie, you'll know what I'm talking about. I was a bit surprised at how the movie had a really good opening and introduction to the story. It just all got lost as the movie progressed).

Once the movie and its storyline started falling apart, it really lost direction. From this point on, it really felt like the whole movie was just thrown together. And, not in a good way - a bad way. It all seemed hurried in an effort to just finish the movie.

Though the film has a good storyline and interesting concept, it really lacks focus. And, this is what made the movie make a turn for the worse.

For those who have been thinking about seeing this film, I'd say - save your money. It's really not worth it in my opinion. I don't even recommend it as a rental.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: FAIL

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



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Indie Film Spoof - Facebook Movie

Since it's Indie Movie Monday (#IndieMM), I thought I'd share with you this indie film spoof based on the upcoming movie. Enjoy!

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me here or through my Facebook Page. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)

Indie Film Spoof - Facebook Movie

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Facebook Movie Trailer



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