Big Nothing (2006)

7/10
Starring Simon Pegg, David Schwimmer and Alice Eve

A frustrated, unemployed teacher joining forces with a scammer and his girlfriend in a blackmailing scheme (courtesy of IMDB)

Big Nothing is funny, full of plot twists and very entertaining. The film has just the right amount of dark humor balanced with the familiar techniques for a crime/blackmail movie.

Casting is great, Schwimmer and Pegg does a wonderful performance in the lead with a great support from Eve.

The overall plot twist is predictable, HOWEVER this film has so many small twists that it'll entertain you from beginning to end.

The cinematography and editing is fantastic in Big Nothing. There is never a dull shot, or a boring moment. I would watch this film again just for the cinematography.

My Top 10 - Jackie Chan

I realized I haven't rated a single Jackie Chan film despite having seen almost every single one of them. Since there are so many of them, I'm going to attempt to list some of my favourite Jackie Chan films (in no particular order).

1) Operation Condor
-Friggin gut splitting hilarious, with the classic Jackie Chan fighting scenes, and great supporting actress fighting for Jackie's attention that makes this film one of the best!























2) The Twin Dragon
-double the fun

 




3) Armor of God

-prop used to fight is a hot burning log

4) First Strike
-prop used to fight includes latter, broom


5) Who Am I

6) Project A

7) Mr Nice Guy
8) Rush Hour

9) Rumble in the Brox

10) Dragons Forever

Worth Mentioning:

11) Drunken Master

Top Secret (1984)

7.5/10 [recommended]

I enjoyed this film, and some of the VERY VERY unique filming/editing scenes.

Plot: Parody of WWII spy movies in which an American rock and roll singer becomes involved in a Resistance plot to rescue a scientist imprisoned in East Germany.


It was silly, quirky, innovative, idiotic, completely weird and funny. It was Val Kilmers first leading role, and he was fairly loveable as the young Elvis-Grease pop artist.

There are a few scenes, notably the bookstore sequence where the entire three minutes was shot backwards then rewinded, that makes this film stand out as inventive and extremely creative. Kudos to whoever thought of it.


If you haven't seen it, Top Secret is a spoof that is very similar to AirPlane, and is worth venturing into. If you have seen it, let's talk about it!!

Train of Life (1998)

7/10

Hope

Plot: In 1941, the inhabitants of a small Jewish village in Central Europe organize a fake deportation train so that they can escape the Nazis and flee to Palestine.

Similar to Life is Beautiful, Train of Life is a comedy drama war film about Jews attempting to survive during World War II terror from Nazi Germany.

Despite the subject matter, this film uses humor and some outrageous situations to look at the horrors of the holocaust through new dimensions. This and Life Is Beautiful are worth viewing.

Watch it all here with subtitles:

Stuck On You (2003)

6.5/10

The complete each other, bromance before it was popular

Plot: Conjoined twins from Martha's Vineyard move to Los Angeles so that one of them can pursue an acting career.

Acting is superb. I love Matt Damon, and it was nice to see him paired up with Greg Kinnear. With cameo from Cher and Meryl Streep as themselves made this film fairly unique.

Stuck On You didn't over do its use of humor. The subtleness and odd romance relationship makes this film sappy yet sweet.

Nothing overly epic or spectacular, but a good light comedy to enjoy on friday night.

Statement (2003)

6/10

Has some goofs in the age casting, but a good film with some thought. And despite the title, film is not about accounting.

Plot: Tale of a former Nazi executioner who becomes a target of hit men and Police investigators.

 Even though it is labeled 'thriller' The Statement is fairly slow paced with slight edge of suspense of what the ending will be like. There are very little chase scenes and gun fights.

A Woman in Berlin (2008)

7/10 [recommended to selected viewers]

Intense, and harsh film based on a true account.

A Woman in Berlin, as its title says, is about a woman living in Berlin at the end of world war II. This film is her account of having to survive and the terror that she faces. The idea of safety and protection will never again be felt. Idea of love will never be the same.

All the ugliness, complexity and horrors of war are all laid out in this raw and harsh film.

The subject matter is difficult to handle, and there are some disturbing ....not recommended for everyone. Good but intense film.

I strongly advise against watching "Come And See (Idi i Smotri)" along with this film on the same day. Very hard hitting.

The Tunnel (2001)

6.5/10

Plot: Based on a true story a group of East Berliners escaping to the West. Harry Melchior was a champion East German swimmer at odds with the system under which he has already been imprisoned

Fairly decent made for TV movie that revolves around the effects of the building of the Berlin wall. What this film does the well is that it takes many true incidents that occurred and dramatized it to fit the story. For example, the famous photo of the NVA soldier Conrad Schumann defecting to West Berlin, and Peter Fechter's defecting but slightly changed with the character Heiner.

Lead actor is mediocre, and almost felt he had the same facial expression in the entire film.

Better Off Dead (1985)

5/10 

 Better off not watching this film. It's hard to really like this film when you can't stand the protagonist

What redeems this film is the weird/crazy/wacky/quirky/bizarre group of supporting characters.

John Cusack's character Lane Meyer, is a spoiled teen who can't seem to be relied on and is overly obsessed over Beth, a girl who doesn't really have much personality but somehow everyone likes her...reminds me of Bella from a movie saga that must-not-be-named.

This film wanted to be one bizarre/hilarious/fun adventure but it just ended up skimming the surface of all these categories. Better Off Dead tried but it just didn't succeed in my books. I much prefer Teen wolf or Breakfast Club or Back to the Future or or Honey I Shrank the Kids. This flick just didn't have any deeper meaning to it, and the comedic element it wasn't there.

Lake Placid (1999)

6.5/10

What do you get when you throw interesting/wacky characters, chopper, gun fire, action, endless sarcasm, and one big croc? One fun Saturday movie night.

Here are the pros of this film: it almost feels like a wildlife documentary, lingered with a slight tone of horror, classy yet gross use of gore, and hilarious dialogue. I felt myself chuckling at the many sarcastic remarks and bantering of Shieff Hank and Mrs. Delores Bickerman. This film differs it self from many other creature features in the sense that the writers put focus on the characters of this film instead of just the 'horrifying monster'. OH and Betty White probably is the gem....

Starring Bill Pullman, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson, Betty White


Cons of Lake Placid: Bridget Fonda's character kelly was a bit of a nag, I found her more peeving at times. If you were looking for horror, this film doesn't really make you jump (I dont do horror well, so this is a pro for me hehe) but it does make you not want to go swimming in a lake for a while. Some action taken in this film doesn't really have much common sense, but then again that's what makes it fun


Overall, it was fun ride. Not overly epic, but has some funny as well as gross moments.