Movie Review: State of Play

What could be so interesting in politics? Politics as defined by Wikipedia is from the Greek word πολιτικός “of, for, or relating to citizens”). It is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs. I think the most interesting part of politics would be politics in general. It would be so interesting to know the ins and outs of it without being involved. Well, I guess you know what I mean.

State of play is a 2009 remake of a British thriller mini-series. Cal McAffrey played by Russell Crowe, my all time favorite actor, a grumpy, old-school reporter was involved in covering a conspiracy together with his sidekick Della Frye played by Rachel McAdams pushed by a mentally nimble and resourceful boss Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren) . They work with police detectives to get into the story of the conspiracy. With a troubled past linked to Rep. Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck), Cal begins to find clues. These clues gave him the way to personally witness covering up, witnesses and assassins. He is getting closer to the truth which will test him as a reporter. Will he write the truth even at the last minute of it or will he make stories to cover up for his college buddy?

Being a thriller fan, I was really fascinated with the twist of this movie. I have seen Russell Crow in action and drama kind of movies and he is undeniably a very good actor. Playing John Nash in “A beautiful mind”, my all time favorite movie made me excited and looked forward to his role in this film. I guess Crowe is inclined to do films with the role of a silent, smart and wise man plus unending arguments with a Brit accent Helen Mirren.

Ben Affleck with his stunning physique emphasized on his corporate attire drew my attention. He had done different films before and we all know who he is, being the dirty oil driller who saved the world in Armageddon. However, I can say that his lines and scenes in this movie are so inappropriate for him.

Poor Rachel Adams, she seems like an extra cast in this movie. I can’t imagine her doing this kind of film because everybody knows she is well-appreciated in romantic movies. God knows her role in “The notebook”! Well, better luck next time.

Let’s give credit to Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy and Billy Roy for the twist and well-written screenplay. Continue writing good or maybe better films like this.

I would like to say two thumbs up to Kevin MacDonald in making this film. I can see in his line of work that he loves making documentaries. I think I will be looking forward to your next documentary film.

Overall, this movie is good which can capture your interest to blog about. I recommend this movie on a lazy weekend afternoon. You may not know if this movie will cure your laziness and will make you turn on your computer and write about it. 

Valentine's Day

February 14^th is the day of love for most people. It is also the day when profits for chocolates, flowers and restaurant skyrocketed.

Valentine’s Day is 2010 movie filmed for a purpose as the title says. It is a romantic comedy movie ( I am not so sure if it really is) with multiple stories. Three couples, Liz and Jason (Anne Hathaway and Topher Grace), Estelle and Edgar ( Shirley MacLaine and Hector Elizondo), and Julia and Dr. Harrison awake together, two teenagers Grace and Alex  (Emma Roberts and Carter Jenkins) and Felicia and Willy (Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner) planned to do first time sex, a boy who wants flowers for his true love, a sports TV reporter assigned to find romance in LA and a group of people who hate Valentine’s Day. Will cupid be able to solve the crisis until midnight?

It is a rated PG-13 movie because of sexual scenes and partial nudity. This film turned viewers confused. With all the Valentine’s Day movies that I have seen, this one didn’t make me fall in love. You’ve got to chase the storyline till the end of it because of switching from scene to scene every now and then.

Big stars are in these movie and that's the reason why I watched it. Julia Roberts is undeniably a well-known actress who could have done better if only the scenes are not limited. Despite that, she still did a good job. You would also love to see Anne Hathaway with her sexy voice as an adult phone entertainer. 

The part that I consider the best was when Jennifer Garner pretended to be a waiter in a restaurant just to humiliate her partner in a professional way who lied to her about his married life and who is having a dinner date with his wife. I guess those people out there who happen to have the same situation might borrow this idea. 

I hope I can just sleep during Taylor Swift’s scene. There are a lot of acting schools! Come on! 

Gary Marshall, a well known director for its Runaway Bride and Pretty Woman can do better omitting the idea of multiple stories in just one film. I guess it is his forte to direct romantic comedy films anyway.

Katherine Fugate, the writer made a bit of a twist in this movie but this kind of stories is common. We’ve seen a lot of movies about couples trying to solve crisis in their lives. In addition she should have ended it a more interesting way so viewers won’t just sigh in disappointment while walking out of the movie theater.

I guess I will just be looking forward for a better Valentine's Day movie special. 

Movie Review: Hot Tub Time Machine

Would you like to go back in the past without knowing it? This is what happened in the movie, hot tub time machine.

Three friends who are in the middle of failures in life; Adam (John Cusack) whose girlfriend ditched him, Nick (Craig Robinson), whose wife is a cheater and with a job without opportunities and Lou (Roby Corddry), a self-destructive alcoholic were thrown back in time. How did it happen? Lou tried to poison him. His two other friends wanted to help him recover, so they decided to go to a winter resort with Adam’s nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) and this resort happen to be their old party place. They had a great night drinking in the hot tub . Suddenly, they didn’t notice that there is something wrong happening with the hot tub and it takes them back to 1986, on a disastrous night for each of them. They agreed that maybe if they will do the same thing the way they did before, it might get them back to the future so Jacob will be born. Imagine, letting someone punch you without any hesitation and experiencing that twice in your life. Seriously, there are a lot of temptations to do things in a different way but they tried to fight those temptations. Does changing the past makes them go back to their poor lives? Find it out!

It is my first time to see John Cusack in a comedy movie and I was really impressed the way he did it. It looks natural.

Craig Robinson did an entertaining job with his wonderful vocals. He turned this movie into a funny and entertaining one.

Roby Corddry is a perfect combination of John and Craig. They are like singers with a perfect harmony.

I hope Steve Pink, director, should have reduced the flaws of this movie. Since it is full of sex scenes, cursing and many others that is not “acceptable” to all audiences.

The writes, Josh Herald and Sean Anders made a good story line. They made the viewers think of what will happen at the end of the movie.

The movie is totally entertaining despite its flaws. People who are not fond of watching this kind of movie would judge it senseless. However, understanding it deeply would give you a lesson.

Lesson learned: You can choose your destiny. If you want and you are determined to do it, you will succeed hundred percent.

I would love to have a hot tub like this. :)