Well Done Movies & TV

Oppenheimer begins with a quote from Greek mythology: 

 "Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. For this, he was chained to a rock and tortured for eternity." 

It would be an understatement to say that this opening helps to establish the thematic elements of the movie, in truth - this quote sums up the man as much as it does the film. Christopher Nolan directed Oppenheimer, and he ensured that it wouldn’t be your run of the mill biopic. Whereas most biopics choose to be either a celebration of the subject’s life or a nuanced take on their flaws, Nolan’s film instead opts for something a little more ethereal. I would argue that Cillian Murphy’s, J Robert Oppenheimer isn’t the main focal point of the film - but that his obsession is. 

‘Be Cool’ is a nice return to form, a witty crime dramedy that manages to not only equal its predecessor - but also improves pleasantly upon the thrust of the first film. It adds a much needed layer to Chili Palmer, Hollywood’s most likable wiseguy.

An ex-loan shark and bookie, Chili is always getting himself into situations that he can handle. John Travolta suits the role of Chili Palmer like a tailored glove, ironic, since the shylock tends to don a pair whenever he’s about to “get down to business”. If you’re a fan of ‘Get Shorty’ then you should adore this second entry in the Elmore Leonard duology.

They say you shouldn’t always judge a book by its cover.

A useful fascimile for cinema lovers: you shouldn’t judge a movie by its trailer.

I am very guilty of breaking this unspoken rule when it comes to the brilliant ensemble piece ‘Now You See Me’. It turns out, that it handles its contrasting tones masterfully, and manages to make a rather “out there” concept not only seem believable, but extremely fun - in the process.

The comedic banter in this movie is carried - nay, elevated by the varied and prestigious cast. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Woody Harelson, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher, Jesse Eisenberg, Mélanie Laurent, and Dave Franco to name a few. Also you get some neat cameos, Common and Conan O’brien being among them. This is the type of film that shouldn’t work on paper, conceptually. But somehow Louis Leterrier ties this neat lil’ bow on it all, using a standard heist script that’s imbued with light satire in addition to a juxtaposition of high-stakes action and jeu d’esprit.

 1.  His middle name is Jerome

2. He worked as an usher at an adult theatre in Torrance. It was called the ‘Pussycat Theatre’.

3. Quentin Tarantino is an Aries.

4. Tarantino traveled to Amsterdam to work on the script for ‘Pulp Fiction’.

5. He’s an avid fan of Elmore Leonard novels, Tarantino’s movie ‘Jackie Brown’ is adapted from the novel ‘Rum Punch’ by the best-selling author. Another film (unrelated to Tarantino) that’s based on Leonard’s work is ‘Get Shorty’ - starring John Travolta & Danny Devito.

Dream Scenario is a uniquely strange feature – and that's a good thing.

Written and directed by Kristopher Borgli and produced by Ari Aster, Lars Knudson, Nicolas Cage, Jacob Jaffke, and Tyler Campellone, this film is an alt-comedy with dark undertones that utilizes surreal imagery in an effort to tell its off-beat story. Released earlier this year in November of 2023, it stars Nicolas Cage playing Paul Mathews; a rather mousy man who teaches Biology at a university but yearns for his time in the spotlight. Specifically, his desire revolves around the publishing of a theory on the formation of ant colonies - a niche subject he’s studied extensively over the years.

His friends are all beginning to have their ‘second peak’ and he seems to be left in the dust, until one day, people around the world start having recurring dreams about Paul - and his life changes irrevocably, overnight. He soon gets all the attention he’s been seeking, and then some.

NEW WRITER: Christopher H.

Zulu – Michael Caine’s First Movie is an Epic Classic

Every great actor has their start. Sometimes it’s a bit part in a television series, a cameo on a sketch comedy show, or a small part in a larger movie. Eventually, an actor get’s his big break for real, earning an important role in a much larger picture.

Michael Caine is one such actor. The renowned British star has appeared in a variety of films, from military dramas to The Muppet Christmas Carol. At the height of epic blockbusters, Caine got a rather prominent role in one such movie.

That movie was called Zulu. This 1964 classic was made back when motion pictures had to put the credits first, and those credits make a point to introduce Michael Caine. The film itself is a military classic that has held up extremely well over the decades.

Intro:

Top notch acting, high octane action; fast paced, well choreographed, and exciting as all hell!

This is ‘Casino Royale’ and we’re just getting started.

Daniel Craig gives hands-down one of the best performances of his career - bursting into this role with a truly awe inspiring amount of vigor and energy. The physicality brought to the screen by this man is epic. It’s easy to feel elated watching these meticulously planned stunts take place, and Daniel Craig really delivers on the goods. He brings a compassionless and cold demeanor to Bond that ensures you are well aware - this movie offers a wholly different 007 then what’s been seen in the past.

In simpler terms, Daniel Craig’s first outing as Bond is a spectacular one!

1.)

It’s the ONLY movie that stars both John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow.

2.)

It’s loosely based on a true story, ‘The 1980 Pennsylvania Lottery Scam’.

3.)

Michael Rapaport is hilarious - he’s in it.

4.)

One of the major roles is played by Ed O’Neil and he’s having a great time! That man is a comic genius. Every time he’s on screen the dialogue had me guffawing like an idiot. 

I’m a big fan of Al Bundy from ‘Married… with Children’. 

Obviously.

5.)

It’s directed by Nora Ephron (Mixed Nuts, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail)

Acting is lying. Hear me out.

We all lie everyday - we don't even realize it. Sometimes we lie consciously, other times we lie unconsciously. An acting coach would call the second one naturalistic, I believe.

But the greatest actors tap into the truth of that lie which they are attempting to tell; the truth that’s in the character.

If a character is inauthentic in writing or execution, there’s no chance of passing off what is outright fiction or embellishment, as real.

All movies are fantasy - to some degree or another, even those that claim to be ‘based on real events’ or ‘inspired by a true story’. Therefore, if all involved do not succeed in crafting a final product that fully deceives the audience, the piece in question will suffer heavily.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang:

What a film!

I love this little satirical homage to noir thrillers of the past. Robert Downey Jr. stars as ‘Harry Lockhart’, a down on his luck criminal who has to rob just to make ends meet.

In one of the early scenes of the film, we find him stealing his son a Christmas present from a toy store, and having trouble finding the damn thing. When the police are alerted by a neighbour (and his partner is shot in the process of running away), Harry has to ditch and run into a nearby audition - in an attempt to escape incarceration. This leads to him delivering a pitch perfect performance, comedy ensues and we soon find him on his way to Hollywood.