The Shining: A Timeless Classic

Genre(s): Psychological horror, Mystery
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% critics/ 91% audience
Our Grade:

• Killian L: 8.8
• J. Tremblay
• Alvar J:

Synopsis: A man decides to take his family with him to take care of the Overlook Hotel during the awful winter coming up and to able to dedicate some time to his writing. The dark history of the place and / or the isolation turn him into a psychopathic killer. His son, Danny possesses the key to salvation: a telepathic gift called "Shining".

Who it´s for: Horror fans, the curious in psychology, anyone looking for a thrilling film without the typical gore and jump scene/scares ,Kubrick fans (however this film is more mainstream than his average), Jack Nicholson followers
Who it isn't for: Stephen Kings loyalists, the needy of fast paced movies.

Director: Stanley Kubrick
Actors (characters):  Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance
                                Shelley Duvall as Wendy Torrance
                                Danny Lloyd as Danny Torrance


 Budget vs Gross Revenue: $22m/$44m (US only)
Awards/Recognitions: Scariest film by Channel 4. 25th Greatest Villain and 29th Thrill by the American Film Institute.

Rating (US): R
Running Time: 2hrs 24min
Country: US

Final Comment:

• Killian L: The story of this film is quite interesting; it's quality was downplayed upon its release, however with time this film has become an adored piece of Kubrick's creative filmography. In addition, it is possible that the many changes made from Stephen King's novel have done other than improve the story. Although its opponents are partially right when they claim it is overrated (regarding Duvall's acting and some unnecessarily long moments), the real genius of this masterpiece is revealed when the viewers feel fear without having to seen the typical scene where you know a loud scare is coming. That is, without mentioning the possible allegories included. Is it a nightmare or a metaphor? Is the hotel haunted or does Jack get cabin fever?  It's likely, we'll never know.
• J. Tremblay
• Alvar J.

 













Click here to read an incredible theory about the true meaning of the shining. (It has to do with a historical lesson).

Inception: One of the Most Mind-Blowing Movies of All Time

Genre(s): Drama, Action, Sci Fi, Mystery, Psychological thriller

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% critics/ 93% audience

Our Grade:

• Killian L: 9.7
• J. Tremblay
• Alvar J:

Synopsis: A world where the lines between dreams and reality become very blurred. Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) specializes in "subconscious security" but this causes him trouble and to fix things he will take his job to a new level: Inception.

Director: Christopher Nolan

Actors (characters): 

• Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb
• Joseph Gordon Levitt as Arthur
• Ken Watanabe as Saito
• Ellen Page as Ariadne
• Cillian Murphy as Robert Fisher Jr
• Tom Hardy as Eames

Who it´s for: geeks, sci fi fans and non-fans alike, the interested in psychology (especially regarding dreams) and philosophy (regarding reality), lovers of innovation and originality, action and special effects enthusiasts.

Who it isn't for: people who complain about "pop" psychology, anybody not willing to watch a movie that will keep them thinking and trying to figure out its complex puzzle, those who will only watch films that are "realistic" (or a person who says things like "I wonder what the producers were high on when the made this.) 

 Budget vs Revenue: $160m/$823m

Awards/Recognitions: 4 Golden Globe Nominations, 9 BAFTA nominations, and 8 Academy Award Nominations.

Rating (US): PG-13

Running Time: 2hrs and 28 min

Country: USA

Final Comment:

• Killian L:  This film is just shy of perfect on every level. Prepare to have your mind blown with this production that will certainly become a classic. Besides, it would not be exaggerated so say it is one of the most innovative and original films in decades. In fact, the Academy should be sorry Hans Zimmer didn't win Best Original Score for Dream is Collapsing. Can you believe that Chris Nolan wasn't even nominated for Best Directing? You will discover that there is a huge diversity of opinions and theories in what seems to be an infinite debate that will never be solved. And, if you watch it again you will surely notice many things you had not seen before. 
• J. Tremblay
• Alvar J.

Once you have seen the film click here to read two interesting viewpoints on the Inception debate click here (iDO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE)

  

"TRUE GRIT" (2010)

Genre(s): adventure, drama, western
Rotten Tomatoes: 9.5
Our Grade:

• Killian L: Killian 9.0
• J. Tremblay: 8.0
  
• Alvar J:

Synopsis: A young western girl wants to avenge her father death. He was killed by an outlaw who escaped into Indian territory. She hires a retired sheriff well past his golden days to help her find this man and bring justice to his father.
Actors (characters): Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn; Matt Damon as Texas Ranger LaBoeuf ; Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross
Who it´s for: those who likes western adventures, great costumes and stories where the debate of justice comes in.
Who it isn't for: those who feel that once you've seen a western you've seen all westerns and those who get sick by violence.
Director: Coen Brothers
Budget vs Box Office: $38 million
Awards/Recognitions: nominated for 10 academy awards, including "best picture"
Rating (US): PG-13
Running Time: 110 minutes
Country: USA

Final Comment:

• J. Tremblay: I think True Grit has been underestimated by saying "it's just another western movie". The truth is, it's not. Compared to other westerns, this movie lacks a lot of gang fights and shooting the sheriff and fighting in saloons, and it's more about the lack of justice in the society, and not only in the western society, but in any human society. This movie teaches us that justice is not blind, that it's not given. This movie teaches us that justice is earned.
  
• Killian L: Considering it was directed by the Coen Brothers, this is movie has a faster pace than most of their other productions although their unique style can still be appreciated. The scenario is excellent and is matched by interesting characters wonderfully performed by the actors. If you think westerns are all about a bunch of rednecks firing pointlessly over silly confrontations, then this film will prove you wrong.

  

"127 HOURS" AND ONLY 2 MINUTES READING

Genre: biographical, adventure, survival, drama, thriller

Rotten tomatoes: 93% critics/ 88% audience

Our rate:

• Killian L: 9.5/10
• J. Tremblay: 9/10
• Alvar J¨: 9.5/10

Synopsis: A film based on the autobiography ¨Between a rock and a hard place¨. Mountaineer Aron Ralston becomes trapped under a boulder for 5 days while canyoneering alone and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive and escape.

Actors:   James Franco: Aron Ralston

Director:  Danny Boyle


Who its for: For those willing to tolerate an intense and very realistic and inspiring depiction of man´s will  to surive.

Who it isn't for: the easily impressed (especially be blood), the faint of heart.

Budget: $18,000,000

Awards/ recognition: 6 Academy Awards Nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor, AFI "Movies of the Year" 2010, 8 BAFTA Nominations.

Rating (US):R

Running time: R

Country: US

Final comment:

•  Alvar J:  127 hours is an odd creature, few movies have been able to be as compelling with a premise as simple yet complex as 127 hours. It takes a special mixture of atmosphere, top-notch acting and the audience being able to sympathize with what the protagonist is going through for these movies to succeed. 127 mixes all these things perfectly to create an intense and extremelly enjoyable experience. The music is AWESOME (iTunes here I come!). All and all, it is highly recommended but you should be warned that the gore factor in this movie is suprisingly high (fellow movie critic Tremblay spent most of the movie screaming and covering his eyes).
• Killian L: Definitely one of the best films of the year. The special effects, the music and especially the superb acting save us from watching what could have easily become "just another survival/trapped movie".

GRAN TORINO (2008)

• Genre: Social Drama
• Director: Clint Eastwood

• Notable Actors: 
• Clint Eastwood as Walt Kowlaski
• Rotten Tomatoes: 80% critics/ 90% audience
• Our Rate: Killian= 9.0
• Who it´s for: Eastwood fans, war veterans and relatives, minorities, classic car admirers, anyone up for a non-hippie lesson on tolerance.
• Who it isn't for: Those who obsess about movies being black and white or overly simplistic, gang members. Note: Despite what might be said, this movie is anything but racist.
•  Budget vs Box Office: $33m / $270m
• Awards/Recognitions: American Film Institute's Top Ten Films of 2008
• Rating (US): R
• Running Time: 116 min
  W
• Final Comment:
• Killian L: Who said a moral lesson can't be entertaining or moving? This underrated movie is one of those guy movies that women will find enjoyable too. Only Clint Eastwood is capable of turning what would otherwise have been just a drama into an action movie.  Recommended for everyone, especially those who feel we have lost our sense of community. 

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)

http://2mov2min.blogspot.com/

• 
  Genre(s): Drama, Science Fiction, Crime, Dystopia, Satire
• Actors (characters): Malcolm McDowell as Alex
• Rotten Tomatoes (Critics/Audience): 91%/92%
• Our Grade: Killian 6.5
• Who it is for: sadists, the dark humored, the politically paranoid, psychologists, future caretakers of the Overlook Hotel.
• Who it isn't for: traditionalists, the lovers of faced-paced movies, hippies, those repulsed by the bizarre. Essentially most people.
•  Budget vs Revenue: $2.2m/$26.6m
• Awards/Recognitions: 4 Academy Award Nominations (including Best Director and Best Picture), 7 BAFTA Awards, American Film Institute Top Ten (#4 Sci Fi Films)
• MPAA Rating: R
• Running Time: 137min
• Final Comment:
• Killian L: Although it seems the film has a positive message given some afterthought, all the insaneness portrayed with little censorship makes this move almost unbearable for the typical person. If you are going to watch this movie, try to watch it as a comedy or as a warning for the future, otherwise you would be better off watching a less disturbing movie. If you are interested in watching a Kubrick production, pick The Shining.