Sarah's Movies and Music

Pride and Glory

2009-01-27T07:19:00.000-08:00

"Becoming a cop, the pledge we took to uphold something honest. We let it all rot from under us. I was a good man once." Pride & Glory

I was looking forward to watch that movie cause I always looked forward to watch a movie starring Edward Norton but when the cast includes Colin Farrell as well then this was a must see movie in my book.

The plot is not that new it's about the corrupt in the NYPD Finest Cops when they cross the line and lose their sight, lose their sight of the pledge they took when they wore those blue uniform to protect and serve. When they were in it once when it was all about Pride and Glory. It's about the whole struggle we all face when we think that nobody is watching and it is okay to put out our hands and take and take but where will it all ends?

The movie cast is amazing I do not need to talk about the cast wether Collin Farrell or Edward Norton or Jon Vought but this movie did take me by surprise it is amazing.

The performance that did take me by surprise was that of Noah Emmerich or Francis Tierney, Jr. or "Boss" as they refer to him this actor did an amazing performance caught between family and his principals. Caught in the middle the actor did portray the role that was needed more than brilliantly that I dare say that he stole the light from both the three lead actors/stars in the movie.

The director of a movie Gavin O'Connor did a great job but in my opinion he had a success on his hand and all he did was follow the stream.

The song with the credits is amazing a must hear it's called "The Water Line" by Sage Francis.

A must see movie, it makes you wonder what will you do when you are trapped between family, loyalty, and what you believe and hold precious in your life.

Now you tell me, What Will You Do When The water Line Is Rising?

Rating in my Book: 10/10

Twilight

2008-12-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

Well I know I have not written a movie review in a while now but nothing of the movies I saw got me to write anything about them nothing was such a disappointment or such a success so they kind of quietly passes through yours truly menu..

Today I am going to talk about Twilight..

A recent release in December, 2008, well what I came

to discover its a love story embedded in a dark and somehow creepy settings with an unusual hero instead of the usual good guy. I expected it to be a regular vampire movie but its not the movie that got to me its the chemistry between the two lead characters its unbelievable the way they look at each other and the wit full screenplay that got to me. The director is Catherine Hardwicke the lady behind "Anti-Trust" and "Vanilla Sky", as for the screenwriter is Melessa Rosenberg the lady behind "Dexter", "The OC" to whom I raise my hat.

The soundtrack of the movie is so good as well there is this song in the movie that got to me so much its called "Let me Sign" by the artist "Rob Pattinson" playing when the hero is saving his beloved by killing her. Actually I discovered that the singer is the main actor in the movie this guy is multi-talented he can act and sing and this song has been playing in my ipod for like a week now although as some people told me it is TOO MILLOW even for my own taste but it really touched my heart so much that I can not stop listening to it. Trust me download it and see where it is in the movie you will not stop listening to it but you have to survive the guy's accent other than that its perfect.

The movie is so touching that it got my goosebumps, I never get touched by all this lovey dovey movies but this movie did, it made me re-think about the power of love and acceptance and how when you love someone they accept you as you are and just enjoy the air and the feeling when they spent some time with thier loved ones in the same place.. Its a nice feeling even if it was felt from behind a lens only and is gone when the credits finished rolling.

Watch that everyone, we all like happy endings every once in a while

Ratings in my world, 9/10

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

2008-09-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

"I haven't been acting correctly. I can't hardly recognize myself sometimes when I'm greased. I go on journeys out of my body and look at my red hands and my mean face and I wonder about that man who's gone so wrong. I've been becoming a problem to myself."- Jesse James

I have been blogging and blogging about the disappointing movies I am watching but this time I am blogging about a movie that took my breath away.. First of all I love Brad Pitt not the pretty boy Bard but the actor Brad who really managed to sell me every single character he portrayed and hence came my anticipation to watch..

"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"..

A 2007 Western drama film adapted from Ron Hansen's 1983 novel of the same name. The film is directed by Andrew Dominik, with Brad Pitt portraying Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. In spite the fact that the movie is almost two and half hours I was never bored and I was amazed by the heartfelt performance of both Pitt and Affleck.. Do not be fooled this is not a western movie about gangs and robberies, not really it's a movie about friendship, trust, betrayal, and how sometimes you get stabbed in the back by the one you trust the most.

Pitt wears Jesse like an overgrown coat that you don't want to get rid of. Pitt gives the most tortured, endearing, and frightening performance. He makes the audience so uncomfortable and awkward yet gives off sensitivity and compassion for a very unlikable and ferocious man.
Casey Affleck, arguably the better actor of the Affleck clan gives the most pathetic, annoying and cowardly performance in the last ten years; and its brilliant. With his deep "admiration" for Jesse, his Robert Ford is engulfed in Jesse's presence and wants enjoy the moments with him, even if he is in fear of him.

The movie is about the last months of Jesse James's life, from meeting Robert Ford, a 19-year-old who idolizes Jesse, to the day Ford shoots him. Jesse's a wanted man, living under a pseudonym, carrying out a train robbery, disappearing to Kentucky, and reappearing to plan a bank holdup with Robert and Robert's brother as his team. The rest of the gang is dead, arrested, or gone from Missouri. Whenever Jesse's around, there's tension: he's murderous, quixotic, depressed, and cautious. Ford wants to be somebody and wants the reward. On April 3, 1882, things come to a head: Jesse is 34, Robert 20. Ford becomes famous, reenacting the shooting on stage, facing down the label "coward," shot dead in 1892.

Last but definitely not least is the sound track of the movie by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, OMG throughout the movie the music just touches your soul and gives you a sense of sorrow and mallow regret that is fit for a gangster who has lost his life due to the choices he made along the road.

An amazing movie a must see even if you do not like the actors you would just enjoy the performance.

Ratings in my world, 5/5

NUMB3RS

2008-09-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

“We all use math every day; to predict weather, to tell time, to handle money. Math is more than formulas or equations; it’s logic, it’s rationality, it’s using your mind to solve the biggest mysteries we know.”

I have been watching this show ever since it started and it really get to me every single time I watched, what really got to me is the family ties and relationships in it, it is not the romantic sappy relationships that is packed in these shows but the basic brother to brother relationship in which the little brother is trying to impress and get to know his big brother who were worlds apart and had nothing in common but now they just tend to bump in each other more and more everyday. What I really also like about this show how tight this family is no matter how different the three of them are they manage to huddle around the dining table at the end of the day or share a game of scrabble and beers. This what gets to me the tightness the intimacy that we all miss in our lives.. That is why Ladies and Gents I am going to talk to you today about

"NUMB3RS"
It is an American television show produced by brothers Ridley and Tony Scott. It follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow) and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes (David Krumholtz), who helps Don solve crimes for the FBI. I love how enthusiastic and obsessive Charlie can be and feel for him when he is distant and unable to understand the human emotions sometimes and how puzzled he is by the motives of his fellow humans which somehow reminds me of myself..

Amazingly my favorite character in the show is Professor Larry Fleinhardt (Peter MacNicol) who is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist at CalSci. Charlie's former mentor and now best friend, he also consults frequently for the FBI. I love how he always tends to focus Charlie's attention to something that is more into the human world rather than the numbers world like the following:

"Okay, well, Charles, you are a mathematician, you're always looking for the elegant solution. Human behavior is rarely, if ever, elegant. The universe is full of these odd bumps and twists. You know, perhaps you need to make your equation less elegant, more complicated; less precise, more descriptive. It's not going to be as pretty, but it might work a little bit better. Charlie, when you're working on human problems, there's going to be pain and disappointment. You gotta ask yourself, is it worth it? "

However do not be fooled as he is not too connected to the human relationship himself as he once left someone cause they had great sex and statistically speaking it is not going to get any better and more frequent. A refreshing show that makes me think that families fit into our world once again..

Righteous Kill "Most people respect the badge. Everyone respects the gun. "

2008-09-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

Okay when I first heard that DeNiro and Pacino are doing a movie together I was thrilled Now comes the new thriller “Righteous Kill” that pairs Al Pacino together with Robert DeNiro. They last teamed up in the great action caper “Heat” from Michael Mann. In that film, they only shared a few minutes on screen together. Here they share most of their scenes together. I saw the trailer and figured it was a dark movie and anticipated it and expected it would blow my mind away like Heat did but unfortunately it did not. I was simply waiting for it to end. As it was coming from the man behind "88 minutes" I simply was hoping this time he would not suck.

The movie goes like this Turk (Robert De Niro) and Rooster (Al Pacino) are partners in the NYPD Homicide Division. They have 30 years of service investigating murders, and before they pull the pin, they want to solve their last big case. The city has a serial killer who is targeting criminals who have fallen through the cracks of the judicial system and have gotten away with rape, murder, and other heinous crimes. The serial killer believes that he is helping the police by taking the scum of the earth out of society for good, never to hurt any law abiding citizens again. The serial killer shoots the criminal at very close-range and leaves a four-line poem justifying the execution. Turk and Rooster want to give this person a medal, but instead, they must arrest him before he kills again.

The movie was cold, distant and at some time flat boring.. “Righteous Kill” should have been so much more. The pairing again of DeNiro and Pacino was long overdue. Unfortunately the script let them down. “Righteous Kill” isn’t bad, but suffers from the weight of expectations. Yes, you could see it to watch two of the kings act but do not expect to hold your breath for this one its as simple as that..

Rating in my world 2/5

Mirrors

2008-09-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

Why is it that Mirrors sometimes freak people out?

It is a common superstition that someone who breaks a mirror will receive seven years of bad luck. One of the many reasons for this belief is that the mirror is believed to reflect part of the soul, therefore, breaking the mirror will break part of the soul. However, the soul is said to regenerate every seven years, thus coming back unbroken. To counter this one of many rituals has to be performed, the easiest of which is to stop the mirror from reflecting the broken soul by grinding it to dust. The belief might also simply originate from the high cost of mirrors in times gone past. According to legend, a vampire has no reflection in mirrors because it is an undead creature and has already lost its soul. Another superstition claims it is bad luck to have two mirrors facing each other. A simple belief also is that there is another side of us who is actually living on the other side. Weird but May be.. Anyhow after this introduction let's talk about the movie of the evening..

Mirrors

Okay, I know I was very excited about that movie and really wanted to watch it specially after seeing the teaser while in theatre, however the movie turned out to be a disappointment.

Although, its starring Kiefer Sutherland one of my favorite intense actors and the director and one of the writers of the movie is Alexandre Aja the man behind "The Hill have eyes" so I expected the movie to actually rock. However it simply DID NOT..

The movie is about Ben Carson (Kiefer Sutherland) who is an ex-cop dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome, who takes a job as a night watchman at an old luxury department store that was burned in a large fire. Soon after he begins his job, Ben is haunted by horrific visions in the large mirrors of the store at night. These entities begin to pursue him and his family, watching them through all reflective surfaces Ben's family is near. In a desperate race to save himself and his estranged family from harm, Ben attempts to unveil the sordid story that these spirits want him to bring to light...before it is too late.

The movie was simply too gory for its own good which could have been a lot more better if it focused on the psychological thriller and creepiness of the theme that already has come across the mind of most of us, Who is there starring right back at us?

However unfortunately it did not focus on that at all and not to mention that the ending sucked big time. Not going to spoil it here but it you are going to watch that movie for the sake of not messing out on it. I suggest to not watch it at theatres and save the trip for another movie that is really worth your time..

Ratings in my world, 2/5

Kiefer Sutherland & "PhoneBooth"

2008-08-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

"Isn't it funny - you hear a phone ringing and it could be anybody. But a ringing phone has to be answered, doesn't it?"

"You don't have to thank me, nobody ever does. I just hope your newfound honesty lasts. Because if it doesn't, you'll be hearing from me."

Well, I really like this movie and every single time I see it.. it makes me think about all the lies we do tell in every single minute and in a lot of different aspects in our lives.. what will happen if someone out there forces us to come clean with all the lies and deception we are living to tell? Imagine being in this situation and actually the mere thinking that this might happen send a shiver down my spine..

The movie goes like this..

Stu Shepard (Farrell) hasn't been totally honest. In fact, he's about the most dishonest man you'll meet. He is an arrogant publicist who thinks he has the whole world in his hands. Every day he uses the same phone booth to call the woman (Holmes) he is cheating on his wife (Mitchell) with. But on the last day, before this particular phone booth is demolished, the phone rings. Stu naturally answers the phone, only to find the caller (Sutherland) on the end is an invisible sniper who knows everything on Stu, including his relationships. The caller now has Stu as his hostage, who demands he comes clean with his wife..

Now the highlight of the movie is Kiefer Sutherland in spite not showing except in the final scene of the movie and only available through out the movie with his voice which sometimes did give me the creeps.. but I have to say that Sutherland is really quiet an actor..known to take roles that are quiet a challenge like the series of "24" , "Time to kill", "Behind the red door" not to mention the disturbing up coming thriller "Mirrors"which I personally is looking forward for its release here in Egypt as it is one of the those movies you have to see in Cinemas..

It is a must see movie if you did not see it then you should, if you did and did not like it I suggest you take another look..

Just think what would happen if you were put into Stu's place will you come clean and save the day? Or stick to your position saving face and keeping appearances? Would you just let me know

The Dark Knight

2008-08-13T02:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I watched the movie "The Dark Knight", The movie is quiet amazing.. From every aspect the actors performance was amazing.. Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman. However for me the movie was all about The Joker and how he played around with what was already there inside people's head. I have to say that the true hero of the movie is the director and the screen writer I was not surprised when I learned that Christopher Nolen and Jonathan Nolan were the director and the writer they are the men behind Momento, The Prestige, Insomnia.. Hence I was not surprised with the darkness of "The Dark Knight"

However I was astonished by Heath Ledger's Performance I have to say that he was my favorite in the movie I waited for him to pop up and he never disappointed me..

However.. When I cruised on line.. I came across this..

Jack Nicholson "Who Previously Played the joker" said that he "warned" Heath Ledger:

"Maybe he took the role too seriously, you know? Maybe he took the Joker thing to heart. Maybe he got into the role too much ... maybe the Joker in him had to KILL Heath Ledger. Just a thought."

The Joker’s character is based on his first two appearances in the comic books, as well as his portrayal in the graphic novel “The Killing Joke.” To prepare for the role, Heath Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month researching the character and developing his performance, which he claims is based upon Sid Vicious and the character of Alex in A Clockwork Orange (1971). Ledger found the role extremely difficult, and suffered insomnia as a result.

Heath Ledger talked about the physical and mental strain of getting out of character "It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy” he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much.

Ledger was quoted: “Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night,” he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.”

Evidently, playing one of the most psychotic super villains of all times can be a harrowing task But Could a character kill an actor?

I have no idea but I guess we will never know why Heath Ledger is no longer with us.. but I would be extremely disappointed if he was not nominated for an oscar. Let's see..

Rating in my world.. 7/5

WANTED

2008-08-10T02:23:00.000-07:00

Okay I have a confession I love Angelina Jolie I find her to be a great actress who is natural and have her own charm that not many can posceses hence came my decision to watch

WANTED of course the fact that the trailer left me completely breathless did add to my decision of watching the movie.. Did not know back then that the movie is loosely based on a comic book with the same name.. Okay I watched the movie liked it very much. To my surprise the director is Timur Bekmambetov he is a Russian-Kazakh dude who did not make an movie worth of knowing..

The Plot is basically about a frustrated office worker learns that he is the son of a professional assassin, and that he shares his father's superhuman killing abilities. I totally liked the beginning of the movie which is telling a tale of a frustrated employee which is something we all were at one point..

The movie also starred Morgan Freeman I guess no need to talk about him but I have to talk about the co-starer of Angelina

James McAvoy a real good choice he did fit the role like a glove I have to give two thumbs up for whoever made the choice you would remember him from the following:

Becoming Jane (2007)
Starter for 10 (2006)
Penelope (2006)
The Last King of Scotland (2006)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

I have to talk also about the amazing soundtrack of the movie a definite download "The Little Things" by Danny Elfman

Enjoy.. Rating in my world would be 5/5

H Dabour

2008-08-10T02:06:00.000-07:00

Okay I am not really an Arabic movies fan but this movie I have to talk about.. I am a movie maniac seriously since I was 12 and instead of boring the hell out of people I see movies, like them ,and blog about them simple as that.. anyhow that being said let's move on to the movie of the evening..

H Dabour was a character originated from the movie "Morgan Ahmed Morgan" starring Adel Emam which I totally did not like but this character did leave a mark on the audience.. I was feeling completely down did not feel like talking about anything or watching anything heavy and hence came my decision of watching the movie .

Which was a spot on I totally loved it I found it hilarious and dead funny. This guy is taking every single expression we are actually using whether online or off line its a movie indeed written by a young man to young people filled with funny lines and not to mention Ahmed Mekky natural sense of humor so it was not really a surprise when I found out that the original idea of the movie was his to begin with. The movie was bound to be a success at least in my book.. An amazing movie if your aim is to spend two hours laughing without a care in the world.. A definite see..
In my world the rating would be 5/5