Movies recommended or seen lately... les films a voir #94: Iron Man 2

Genre: Sci fi/ Science fiction

Annee/Year: 2010

Format: Blu Ray

Iron Man 2. Jon Favreau has directed a second commercial hit in the suite of the famous Iron man Marvel franchise. Does it do justice to the many fans of Iron Man? Well, before i answer this, let me tell you that Iron Man and Dracula were my two preferate heroes when I was young. Guess it can tell something about me... or maybe not. But definitely I was amongst the happiest people when this new wave of Iron Man was put in place for the new generation (my son as well).

The first movie was more than a solid hit. Robert Downey jr found a perfect fit in this role and the rest his history. Now is the follow up "A la hauteur"? Yes it is a good second part BUT not quite the perfect result as the first one.

Downey Jr plays again a perfect Tony Stark as we follow him in more over the top excesses as can be seen. The gist of the story is that he is slowly being poisoned by the very same material which saved him (in his nuclear heart).He is saved (of course) with the help of the Avenger squad which are introduced to set the table for the continuation of the franchise. The problem is that we never feel that Tony is really in danger. His dead father leads the way for him to resolve the situation which is interesting but not really credible in the way it is presented.

On the other hand, Mickey Rourke plays an excellent part in the movie with great acting. But again he is not used to his full potential for the story in the second part. First half great, second half hohum.
I am sure that everyone will not miss this movie as the first one was so entertaining. But it does not deliver as much as the first of the Iron Man series.

Le second film de cette franchise marque encore une fois un très bon jeu d'acteurs pour Robert Downey Jr. et son oppose: Mickey Rourke. L'histoire très prenante dans la première moitie du film ne carbure pas autant dans la seconde. Il faut voir ce film, si vous aimez le genre action, mais il ne laisse pas un goût si clair que le premier. La franchise de Marvel va se combiner a celle des Avengers l'an prochain alors il faut sans doute plus compter sur un Iron Man 3.

Great quotes:

Senator Stern: I think we're done with the point that he's making. I don't think there's any reason...
Tony Stark: The point is you're welcome, I guess.
Senator Stern: For what?
Tony Stark: Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it. But I did you a big favor. [stands and turns to face the Senate]
Tony Stark: I've successfully privatized world peace. What more do you want? For now! I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns.
Senator Stern: [Bleep] ... you, Mr. Stark.
Senator Stern: [Bleep] ... you, buddy.
...
Tony Stark: Contrary to popular belief, I know exactly what I'm doing...
[generates a new arc reactor, amidst a glass-splintering explosion]
Tony Stark: Oops!
...
Senator Stern: My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America.
Tony Stark: Well, you can forget it. I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself, which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending on what state you're in. You can't have it.
Senator Stern: Look, I'm no expert...
Tony Stark: In prostitution? You're a senator. Come on.
...
Justin Hammer: I'd love to leave my door unlocked at night, but this ain't Canada.
...
Tony Stark: You know, the question I get asked most often is, "Tony, how do you go to the bathroom in the suit?" [pauses with eyes closed]
Tony Stark: Just like that

Link: http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/

Rating perso: 7.5/10

Movies recommended or seen lately... les films a voir #93: Do you like Hitchcok?

Genre: Drama/Drame

Annee/Year: 2005

Format: DVD

Do you like Hitchcock? Ok we continue our exploration of the world of the Italian Director Dario Argento. I had no expectations going in the viewing of this movie. But i certainly was very pleased of the result. Argento is well known for his "horror" movies but definitely this is not in that genre from my point of view. This is a true to form, suspense story a la Hitchcock. The story is about a young student who likes to be "voyeur" with his neighbors. He sees a brutal murder across the street and starts to investigate. I will not say more. The story is brilliantly conducted and the acting is of a decent level. Dario's cinematography is as always very engaging. This is really an interesting movie for all.

Ce film est très intéressant, mais la version que j'ai en DVD ne contient pas de version française. Cependant parce que ce film est très accessible, il s'agit du film parfait pour quiconque veut se familiariser avec l'oeuvre du directeur Italien Dario Argento. Un film bien ficelé avec une intrigue et suspense a la Hitchcock comme son titre le laisse paraître. À voir, vous ne le regretterez pas.

Great quotes:

Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430676/fullcredits

Rating perso: 7.5/10

Movies recommended or seen lately... les films a voir #92: Feast

Genre: Horror/Horreur

Annee/Year: 2005

Format: Blu Ray

Feast. Well what would a movie be like if Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Wes Craven and Chris Moore and the whole Maloof posse got together to brainstorm. That would be Feast; a gruesome gory violent movie where you laugh as well because it does not take itself too seriously. A great combination which has been successfull more than once. Director John Gulager put together a great cast of unknowns which play the parts just right. The film tells the story of a bunch of low life stuck in a bar in the middle of the American desert where they are under sige by a family of really nasty monsters. Did i say this film is gory AND bloody. Not for the daint of heart but a hell of a good time is to be had. There were 3 films in this franchise and i hope the two others are half as engaging as this first one. Gotta watch if you are horror fans. I waited for the blu ray release and franquly i dont think it is worth it. I am sure the DVD is as good and probably cheaper.

Ce film est vraiment 100% entertainment. Crée par un groupe hétéroclite incluant: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Wes Craven, Chris Moore et toute la famille Maloof le résultant est un film sanglant et drôle à la fois. Une combinaison souvent intéressante. Le mélange ici est très réussi. Un bon film d'horreur racontant les aventures d'un groupe de gens pas trop sympa qui se retrouvent assiégés par des monstres n'ayant rien à envier au monstre de Alien. Beaucoup de sang et de tripes ainsi que de très bons rires en font une combinaison efficace. Faut voir pour les amateurs d'horreur au coeur pas trop sensible.

Great quotes:
Hero: Listen to me. A storm o'hell's coming down on this place any second. I don't know what they are, I don't know where they came from. All I do know is that these fuckers are fast, nasty, and hungry... and there's four of 'em. They got claws like Ginsu knives and more teeth than a chainsaw. They're comin'... right now. So we gotta lock this bar down. That means doors, windows, drains, and zippers, and we gotta do it now. You! Get a phone, call the cops, National Guard, townies, anybody who kicks ass, and get 'em out here. Any questions?
Bartender: Yeah. Who the hell are you?
Hero: I'm the guy that's gonna save your ass.
[a monster immediately reaches through the window and kills him]
...
Bozo: YOU!
Grandma: [Drunkenly] What?
Bozo: You know somethin'!
Grandma: Huh?
Bozo: You're old! You've seen things!
Grandma: I don't know a thing.
Bartender: Easy there...
Bozo: Back off me, whitey! I'm interrogating her.
Bozo: Old people know things, like legends and tall tales and shit.
Grandma: No... really... I don't...
Bozo: Come on! Spill it! Or I'll get rough!
Grandma: I don't know anything! [Points to Bartender]
Grandma: Why don't you ask him? He's old!
Heroine: Relax. She doesn't know anything.
Bozo: Yeah... allegedly.

Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426459/fullcredits

Rating perso: 8.0/10

Movies recommended or seen lately... les films a voir #91: Prince of Persia: the sands of time

Genre: Drama/Drame

Annee/Year: 2010

Format: Blu Ray

Prince of Persia: the sands of time. Over 25 years ago I used to play a silly arcade video game called Prince of Persia. Well this video game has survived through time and actually reached a level where producer Jerry Bruckheimer took his attention to in order to create another action flick with 120% stimulation level. Director Mike Newell (Young Indiana Jones, Donnie Brasco, Harry Potter and the goblet of fire) has enroled Jake Gyllenhaal for the lead role along with a very good cast (inclduign Ben Kingsley and many others). The story is one of action set in the Persian empire as they invade a neighboring city state. The whole ordeal turns out ot be a setup by the Kings' brother to steel a magic dagger which would allow him to go back in time and turn the tables to his advantage.

The movie does not lack any action and the special effects are first rate. A lot of CG was used an this is mostly obvious in the outside decors. My son loves this movie but a certain aspect of it leaves me a bit cold. Maybe it is just too much over the top and unrealistic...or maybe i am getting older. not sure. Still good entertainement if your are out for a popcorn evening.

Ce film est excellent si vous aimez les films d'action hors de proportions. Jerry Brukheimer joue sa magie habituelle ici (à la Tranformers) pour vous faire un tour de manège digne de La Ronde. Super distribution et excellents effets spéciaux sont au rendez-vous. Le HD est également excellent avec une trame sonore traduite au Québec. Cependant il se peut que tout ceci vous laisse un goût trop marque dans la bouche. Bon pour une bonne soirée popcorn en famille, mais pas trop réaliste malheureusement.

Great quotes:

Tamina: That's impossible.
Prince Dastan: Difficult, not impossible.
...
King Sharaman: A great man who would have stopped what he knew to be wrong, no matter who was ordering it.
...
Sheik Amar: Tch, secret government killing activity! That's why I don't pay taxes!
...
King Sharaman: In all my travels I have never looked upon a more beautiful city, your Highness. Tamina: You should have seen it before your horde of camel-riding illiterates descended upon it.

Link: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia/

Rating perso: 7.0/10

Movies recommended or seen lately... les films a voir #90: Tenebre

Genre: Horror/Horreur

Annee/Year: 1982

Format: DVD

Tenebre (aka Tenebrae, Unsane). This is my first exploration into the horror mind of Dario Dargento a most celebrated director from Italy. He has so many films to his credit it is impressive. His best known work being Suspiria.

Here we reviewed Tenebre which is the title of a murder book written by Peter Neal, an american writer visiting Rome; role played by Anthony Franchiosa. A series of gruesome and visually bloody murders is being played out in Rome following some influence from the book of this author. A number of people are suspected but the plot tightens around our writer being in the center of it all.

Dargento shows a great sense of cinematography and the style he uses for shooting is his own classic form. Some suspence, a bit of nudity, gruesome kill scenes but nothing supernatural; this movie is more about becoming insane and murderous than actual out of this world horror.
A classic movie which has aged obvisouly since 1982; but great cinematography with a good cast from italian comedians. Gotta see.

Ce film est ma première excursion dans le monde fantastique de Dario Dargento; un directeur Italien reconnu (il a participe a l'écriture de il était une fois dans l'ouest et a dirigé Suspiria son plus grand succès) ce film date un peu aujourd'hui, car il a presque trente ans, mais il garde toujours sa magie. Une bonne distribution d'acteurs italiens reconnus et une cinématographie plus qu'intéressante en font un film digne d'attention à ce jour. Faut voir pour les amateurs de film Hitchcokien.

Great quotes:

[First lines] Narrator: "The impulse had become irresistible. There was only one answer to the fury that tortured him. And so he committed his first act of murder. He had broken the most deep-rooted taboo, and found not guilt, not anxiety or fear, but freedom. Any humiliation which stood in his way could be swept aside by the simple act of annihilation: Murder."
...
Peter Neal: I've been charged, I've tried building a plot the same way you have. I've tried to figure it out; but, I just have this hunch that something is missing, a tiny piece of the jigsaw. Somebody who should be dead is alive, or somebody who should be alive is already dead.
Detective Germani: Explain that.
Peter Neal: You know, there's a sentence in a Conan Doyle book, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."


Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084777/fullcredits

Rating perso: 7.5/10

Movies recommended or seen lately... les films a voir #89: A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: the dream master

Genre: Horror/Horreur

Annee/Year: 1988

Format: DVD

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: the dream master. This is obviously the fourth installment in the franchise which is this time directed by Renny Harlin and written by Wes Craven. I personnaly think this is where the franchise hits it's stride. The dream master is one of the best Nightmare movie in the series. Yes it is dated, and yes it sounds much like a Much Music video with all it's pop music score (Sinead O'connor anyone?) and yes as usual the acting is not it's forte. BUT Robert Englund playing Freddy, really hits the note and the balance with the funny one liner is really effective on this one. Some of the kill scenes are really memorable. Personnaly i really like the scene with the kid sitting on his water bed; pulling the sheets to see the pinup girl from his calendar seimming naked inside the mattress. Obviously this is only to peak his interest as Freddy rips through the plastic mattress for the kill with his classic metal claws. Next day the mom finds the kid bloody inside the mattress. What demented minds...gotta love it. If you are amateurs of the genre and of the franchise dont miss this one.

Le quatrième film de la série Nightmare on Elm street est certainement une que vous devriez voir si cette franchise vous intéresse. Dirige par Renny Harlin et écrit par Wes Craven ce film montre des signes de vieillissement avec ces acteurs moyens et sa bande sonore tirée de Musique Plus des années '80 (vous vous souvenez de Sinead O'connor?). Le fil a cependant plusieurs points positifs à son arc. Le script est solide et les commentaires drôles de Freddy sont à leurs meilleurs. On sent ici que Robert Englund qui joue le rôle de Freddy rentre vraiment dans le personnage et est à son plus efficace. À voir ou revoir.

Great quotes:
Freddy Krueger: You shouldn't have buried me. I'm not dead.
...
Kincaid: Kristen! Freddy's back! Freddy's back! Freddy's back! [Freddy stabs Kincaid in the stomach]
Kincaid: I'll see you in hell.
Freddy Krueger: Tell 'em Freddy sent ya.
...
[after killling a kid in his water mattress]Freddy Krueger: How's this for a wet dream?
...
[about the roach motel] Freddy Krueger: You can check in, but you can't check out
Freddy Krueger: If the food don't kill ya, the service will. [laughs]
...
Chorus Children: Now I lay me down to sleep. The Master of Dreams my soul will keep. In the reflection by my side...
Alice Johnson: Evil will see itself, and it shall die!
...
Rick: She told us a story about Freddy. Fred Krueger. He's a town legend. He was a child killer freed on a technicality.
Daniel 'Dan' Jordan: So?
Rick: So, a lot of parents got pissed of and, according to Kris, they hunted him down and roasted him like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095742/fullcredits

Rating perso: 7.0/10