People usually associate thrillers with Horror movies, but they’re not the same. Thrillers are movies that lack enough action to be classified as an action movie, but they deliver suspense and revolve around a plot that doesn’t involve much gunslinging action. An example of some newer thrillers would be: Unknown, Limitless, The Adjustment Bureau, etc.
Drive-(R)-(Blu-Ray worthy)
This movie was the first of three movies watched back to back. This was the best of all of them, considering that the other two were Tuck and Dale vs. Evil and The Room. The minute the credits started rolling at the end of Drive, I could already smell the cult following. Ten years from now, this movie will be remembered as a cult classic. As with all cult classics, not everybody will like them. The same is true for Drive. You either like it or you don’t. It’s about a mechanic/Hollywood stunt driver who drives criminals to or from where ever they need to be. They have a five-minute window of time. In those five minutes, he states that he’s theirs. He doesn’t carry a gun. He doesn’t involve himself. He only drives. He gets involved with Driving his neighbor, however, and things go downhill from there. The three key points to this film are acting, directing, and plot. The acting was perfect. From everyone. The gangsters, Ryan Gosling, the love interest. All of the acting was perfect. Now, wasn’t a ton of dialogue, so it’s not great acting in terms of well timed banter, but rather in body language and staring. There was lots of staring. I personally couldn’t keep a straight face while looking at Gosling spacing out for even ten seconds. Hat off to him. The directing is the highlight of this film. The way it’s directed, in long shots and interesting angles, worked beautifully with the changing lighting and tones. Paired with a 70′s or 80′s, possibly 90′s (i apologize, I don’t know my 70′s music and whatnot) vibe, it’s stylish. It’s one of the few stylish movies I have seen recently that relies on a powerful setting and atmosphere that has the character shine without him trying to. Lastly, the plot was easy to get into. The gangster threat isn’t a good ol’ proper Goodfellas gang. These men are sloppy, foul-playing Italians, and they’re not to be messed with. But, because it’s a movie, they get messed with, and so they are let off of their chain and attack. To me, Drive was a T-Bone. It was a great movie, and I enjoyed all of it. This is definitely a cult classic in the making. So, that means that you’ll either like it or hate it. This is worth a watch. Check it out and find out if it works for you.
Interesting Facts: Ryan Gosling was chosen to replace Hugh Jackman
Mulligan and Gosling chose not to speak many of their lines, for “mood” purposes. They wanted to have the atmosphere speak for itself.
Gosling’s character is never given a name.
The trailer and clips aren’t here because the trailer gives away basically the whole movie. Don’t watch the trailer.
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Warrior-(PG-13)-(Blu-ray worthy)
I have been recommended this movie countless times, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I didn’t want to hear anyone else say, “Go see Warrior,” or else I might explode. So I decided to see it. It’s about two brothers. One of them is a former Marine, who has a shadow of tragedy looming over him. He’s now an alcoholic, hard, and rough. The other brother is a high-school teacher who’s behind on his mortgage, and he has a wife and kids. They both decide that to make ends meet, each for different reasons, they have to enter the Super-Bowl of MMA fighting, a competition which guarantees big money for the winner. The problem is, the brothers, as well as their dad, aren’t on the same terms. They have huge family issues, and the dad tries hard to show that he is a changed man. There is conflict everywhere, and you follow both brothers and their struggle to win the money. The three key points to this movie are acting, action, and plot. The acting was flawless. Tom Hardy truly seems angry, pained, and injured inside. He has proven to me that he can make a good villain in the Dark Knight Rises. Joel Edgerton was strong as a family man, and you could really believe his determination. All of the acting was Oscar-worthy, and there was not one fragmented character. The acting was really strong. The action was astounding. I wish UFC really was that exciting. I mean, it is, at times, but this was extreme high intensity fighting. Punches, kicks, locks and submissions are all presented, and fighting has never been so exciting. You enjoy watching every second of the matches. The action was a great break from the family drama and tension. The plot is where the movie shines. It has a ton of conflict. There are many surprising turns and events that leave you open mouthed and sympathetic. The movie’s message is powerful, and it will stir emotions, I guarantee. Part of the reason why this movie is powerful is because it’s relatable. The problems that are presented aren’t extreme. Its things like a fallen soldier or possibly losing a house that people can sympathize with. This movie will strike a chord, due to how powerful it is, but it’s not a drama where you need tissues at your side. Well, for some, it may be, but there is plenty of action and exciting moments that will uplift your mood. Over all, Warrior is a T-Bone. It’s a great action-drama for anyone.
Interesting Facts: ‘Koba’ was Josef Stalin’s alias.
The scene in Iraq was filmed in a parking lot in Pittsburgh.
Two UFC fighters actually appear in the movie.
Interviews
200 Bucks
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The Adjustment Bureau-(PG-13)
The Adjustment Bureau is a movie about David Norris, a unique politician close to getting a seat in the US Senate. Before giving one of his speeches, he runs into a woman named Elise, who he falls for right away. The two are seemingly in love, but there’s and issue. Fate does not want them to be together. Strange men with hats, the people who make sure that Fate stays on path, try their hardest to keep David and Elise apart. Why? Because it’s the “Chairman’s” plan. This movie sounds like a romantic drama, but it has some thrilling parts. This movie isn’t a gun play movie, but rather a dramatic, determined thriller, with a hint of Sci-Fi. This movie is so different that I had trouble placing it on a page. Sci-Fi suits it best, because of the whole deal with people who balance Fate. The three key points to this movie are acting, concept, and thrill. The acting was top notch. Going into the movie knowing that Matt Damon was in it had no effect on me. I am not too familiar with his movies, but his performance in this on made me a fan. He is a great character that you keep rooting for. The character Elise is also played very well, and their chemistry is clearly very real on screen. Their acting was top notch, but as for the people playing the men who keep Fate on track…they claimed to be superhuman, like angels, and they supposedly live longer than humans, but I didn’t get the feeling like they weren’t human. They displayed human emotion and human traits…the whole thing with them being superhuman, and being weakened by water didn’t click with me. If somebody tells me that elephants can fly, I expect to see wings on it.
The concept is great. These angel-like people move through doors. Your front door may lead to a football field or downtown. That is how these people navigate. The comparisons to the real world (losing your keys, your internet going down, the reason for the Dark Ages) were all very clever. The concept was fresh, and by the end of the movie, you’re thinking, What if… Lastly, the thrill level is high. You keep wondering what will happen next, how things will play out, and if there will be a good ending for David and Elise. I highly suggest you to rent this movie. It doesn’t have hardcore action and heavy language. That’s replaced by a new, fresh concept that revolves around romance. This movie was a T-Bone, and if you have to take a few doors to get it, it will be well worth it.
Interesting facts: The number Elise gives David is owned by Universal Studios and used in some of their other films.
Interview with Matt Damon
Interview with Emily Blunt
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The Ides of March-(R)
Let’s face it…politics is boring. Why would anybody want to watch a plain old political drama? The truth is, nobody wants to watch a plain old political drama…until the 2012 election comes up. Now is the time of year where our favorite (and least favorite) politicians go head to head to battle it out. The Ides of March also revolves around a political campaign, and so people want to see what it has to offer. Nobody would see a Christmas movie in the middle of the summer, and so the Ides of March is here to get us thinking about this year’s politics. It is about a campaign staffer named Stephen Meyers. He is campaigning for a new candidate, Mike Morris. This movie shows how Stephen encounters dirty politics and what campaigning is really about. The three key points to the Ides of March are characters, plot, and thrill. I have never felt so strongly about characters for a while. Right away, you’re rooting for the good guys and hating the bad guys. That’s how it should be, but there’s an intensity to how you feel about the characters. You want them to be perfect, but you uncover their deeper, darker side, and you feel disappointed and in awe. The characters are the strongest any have been for a while. The star-studded cast all delivered flawless performances, and so the characters are as solid as can be. The plot is unreadable. The fact that it’s non-linear keeps you guessing and wondering the whole time. Things are constantly developing, so there is no dull moment. There are parts where you could predict what will happen, but right when you think that you have things figured out, another thing comes up that you didn’t see coming. Lastly, the thrill factor was way high. I thought this movie would be a collection of montages and fast camera movements, but instead, it was more professional than that. There’s a sense of mystery to it, so your butt is literally glued to your seat. Here’s how absorbed I was: I didn’t get up to refill my popcorn. I ALWAYS get up to refill my popcorn! There is no applicable moment to get up from your seat except for the previews or the ending credits. I also realized that this movie uses silences very well. It sounds strange, but the moods were established as soon as the scenes change. The Ides of March is a Filet. It will lead you to have many discussions, it will get gears in your head spinning, and it gets you thinking: Who’s running our country, really?
Interviews with the cast
