WATCHMEN

JUSTICE IS COMING TO ALL OF US. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO.

Director: Zack Snyder

Actors: Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino and others

Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Duration: 162 minutes

Plot: a group of heroes, forced into retiriment a decade before, are called together once again to investigate the murder of one of theur own. What they discover is an age-old conpiracy to change the balance of power in a world not different from our own.

Analysis: Watchmen may seem like yet another version of a super-heroic movie. However, this is far from being true. Watchmen is, indeed, a movie with super-heroes but it is not a heroic one. The main star of this film are not the exceptional heroes but the society itself. Director Zack Snyder (a true veteran in this genre of movies, with films like Sucker Punch, 300 and Man of Steel in his resume) describes with an ingenious and emblematic way the deterioration of the american society and the deep changes that carved the face of U.S.A. after the end of World War II. In this intense period, a period defined by Cold War, espionage and nuclear threat, a bunch of super-heroes find themselves being an obsolete and needless remnant of the long forgotten past, thus mirroring the loss of trust between the former allies (U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.) and the increase of hostility throughout the globe.
     Snyder gives us all those symbolisms through beautiful, picturesque scenes and wistful songs. Especially the intro of the movie, which describes the changes that took place during forty year in less than four minutes, is simply unsurpassed. Furthermore, the director does not afraid to depict the violence of the newly formed society with brutal scenes and tart dialogues. The script is flawless and even though the duration of the movie is quite long (almost three hours) it will not tire you one bit, since there is nothing needless or redundant in it. All in all, Watchmen is a film that will excite and amaze even the most demanding audience, being something totally different from the movies we are used to watch. I heartily reccomend it, not only for the action lovers but for the deep thinkers as well.

Things to notice:

• the amazing intro,  
• the colorful direction and
• the unexpected finale.

Oscar awards (2010): -

Personal Evaluation: 8.2/10 

Should be watched tonight if: you still believe in super-heroes.

Trailer

V FOR VENDETTA

FREEDOM! FOREVER!

Director: James McTeigue

Actors: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves, Stephen Fry, John Hurt and others

Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller

Duration: 132 minutes

Plot: in a future British tyranny, a shadowy freedom fighter, known only by the alias of the letter "V", plots to overthrow the opressing system with the help of a young woman.

Analysis: V for Vendetta is the movie adaptation of the relevant graphic novel of 1988. Director James McTeigue succeeds in capturing the essence of the comic book and communicating it through the big screen. However the credit belongs mainly to the script writers of the film, the ingenious Andy and Lana Wachowski (a.k.a. the Wachowski Brothers), that gifted us with a masterpiece as marvelous as Matrix. In V for Vendetta their imaginative craziness can still be detected, yet this time more refined and controlled. In other words, this film is not only about special effects and breathtaking scenes. It is a deep, analytical and insightful attempt to interpet and –at the same time–criticize the black spots of the political stage. And as borring such an attempt may sound, the Wachowski Brothers manage to create the perfect combination of a science fiction film with plenty political and social extensions. giving us a film which will not only fascinate us but will also make us think hard about those that define our lives. And while in Matrix the role of the humanity's oppressors belonged to the machines, in V for Vendetta that role belongs to a tyrannical and corrupt government. 

      Hugo Weaving (the "bad" guy in Matrix) is the hero in this movie, landing an absolutely wonderful performance of Shakesperean proportions (and all these while wearing a mask on his face during the whole duration of the movie). In conclusion, V for Vendetta is a marvelous film of so many moral aspects, keen dialogues and brilliant, metaphorical scenes (especially the finale seems like the incarnation of a poet) that will remain stuck in your head for a good while. After all, the films that dare to speak the truth are rare nowadays and this film does, teaching us that "people shouldn't be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people".


Things to notice:

• Hugo Weaving's memorable performance, 
• the flawless script and
• the allegorical –almost poetic– finale.

Oscar awards (2006): - (but all in our hearts).

Personal Evaluation: 9.5/10

Should be watched tonight if: you are a rebel!

Trailer

UPSIDE DOWN

TWO WORLDS. ONE FUTURE.

Director: Juan Solanas 

Actors: Jim Sturgess, Kirsten Dunst, Timothy Spall and others

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Duration: 114 minutes

Plot: Adam and Eden fell in love as teens despite the fact that they live on twinned worlds with gravities that pull in opposite directions. Ten years after a forced separation, Adam sets out on a dangerous quest to reconnect with his love. 

Analysis: Upside Down is the narration of a love story between two young people of opposite backrounds. However, this is not a typical love story since the script contains plenty science fiction elements that actually represents the real obstacle which prevents the two stars from enjoying their love. Director Juan Solanas succeeds in combining smoothly and gracefully science fiction with dramatic romance –two genres that rarely match. The visual effects are quite satisfying and the scenary is breathtaking in certain moments.
     However, the real revelation of this film is its protagonist Jim Sturgess. He is extremely persuasive in the role of the lovesick yet unlucky and poor young man, thus easily tricking you into believing that his feelings towards Kirsten Dunst are something more that a simple act. Simultaneously, he oozes sympathy making you root for him and cross your fingers wishing he will achieve his goal by gaining the woman of his dream. All in all, Upside Down is an entertaining, fast-paced romance which will keep your interest alive during its whole duration.


Things to notice:

• Sturgess's persuasiveness in the role of a smitten young man, 
• the pleasant combination of science fiction with an ordinary love story and
• the panoramic and impressive images of the reverse cities.

Oscar awards (2014): -

Personal Evaluation: 7.5/10

Should be watched tonight if: you are in love (or would like to be).

Trailer

THE WALK

Every dream begins with a single step.

Director: Robert Zemeckis 

Actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte Le Bon, Ben Kingsley and others

Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama

Duration: 123 minutes

Plot: in 1974, high-wire artist Phillipe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: walk the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.

Analysis: the film's script is based on the real story of the french acrobat Philippe Petit and his succesful attempt to cross the huge void between the World Trade Center towers by walking on a thin wire. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is excellent in the main role (his french accent is simply magnificent) after being prepared physically and mentally by Petit himself, while the presence of veteran actor Ben Kingsley adds experience and maturity to the cast. What's more, director Zemeckis manages to convert a plain biographical story into a fast-paced, interesting and lively adventure, full of amazing scenes, enchanted with modern CGI effects (especially those which take place during the last forty minutes of the movie, covering Petit's walk and the morning view of 1974's New York, are pure magic, making you almost feel the air of the high altitude in the skin of your face).
   However, Zemeckis true intention wasn't to narrate an inspiring event or transform Gordon-Levitt into an articulate french artist. His sole wish was to pay tribute to New York's greatest symbol. A symbol that used to incarnate the beating heart of a whole nation. A symbol which remains –even today, 15 years after its destruction– a lighting beacon of hope, proud and glory. And that symbol –the real star of the movie– is no other than the Twin Towers.

Things to notice:

• Gordon's-Levitt lovable accent, 
• the "walk" scenes and
• the vast greatness of Twin Towers.

Oscar awards (2016): -

Personal Evaluation: 8.2/10

Should be watched tonight if: you are not afraid of heights.

Trailer

THE WRESTLER

LOVE. PAIN. GLORY.

Director: Darren Aronofsky 

Actors: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood and others

Genre: Drama, Sport

Duration: 109 minutes

Plot: a faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle (written by Kenneth Chisholm).

Analysis: The Wrestler is the typical example of a movie having been created for the sole purpose of aiding a single actor's career. In this particular occasion that actor happened to be the well-known Mickey Rourke who, after three years of unembloyment and a whole decade of poor choices and terrible critics' reviews, was offered the rare opportunity of taking the leading role in Aronofsky's –probably the one director that understands the word "drama" better than anyone else in Holywood, with acclaimed movies like Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream in his arsenal– latest film. And not only did he accept that opportunity but he gifted us with the best performance of his entire career, winning his first oscar nomination and losing by a thin hair the golden statue from Sean Penn. Apart from Rourke's marvellous performance (and Marisa's Tomei captivating presense), the film contains all those necessary elements which characterize a good drama: bold direction, strong emotional scenes and sharp dialogues. Aronofsky succeeds in making a well-balanced film which, even though it doesn't contain any spectacular and full of modern CGI effects scene, will sustain your interest until the finale. 

      But in the end, The Wrestler is all about Rourke who, just like the hero he impersonates, grasped the one and only chance he had to conquer glory after years of unsuccesful and deadlock struggles.


Things to notice:

• the dynamic comeback of Mickey Rourke, who offers us a memorable performance, 
• the gracefull direction of Darren Aronofsky and
• the strong feelings that the film's dramatic scenes create.

Oscar awards (2009): 

• two (2) oscar nominations for:

a) Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role and
b) Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.

Personal Evaluation: 8.1/10

Should be watched tonight if: you want to witness the unparallel acting capabilities of Mickey Rourke, the most misunderstood actor of his generation and the unimaginable extent of performance he can land when he actually wants to.

Trailer