Lopez17's Profile at Metacritic

Average User Score: 6.1

User Score 10

Anton Corbijn's "The American" is one of those rare films that come along only once in a great while. Corbijn's has blended a methodical tale of redemption blending it with the meticulous characterization and absorbing pace of such films as Jean Pierre-Melville's "Le Samourai"(1967) or Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner"(1982). Corbjin has crafted such a quiet dialogue driven film with such lush and bleak cinematography that accentuate the dark yet emotional nature of this engrossing character drama. The way he uses colors to highlight the darkness like using green lighting in the dark alleyways or reds in a brothel, how he uses mute grays during the day to give this film an air of foreboding and dread, how death looms around every corner, how at any moment someone could die, he could die. Corbjin and screenwriter Rowan Joffe deftly combine old school drama, techniques, and characterization with modern day style filmmaking to construct a story that not only delves deep into the psyche of a professional assassin but also delves into the psychological aspects of the human condition. How death can play a very important part in how we live our lives and how we choose the path that we will follow for the rest of our days. "The American" is one of the best films of 2010, not solely based on its technical merits but on the merits of its intricately woven story of death, love and life how it spins the of-told story of an assassin trying to escape his life of death. This is a beautifully haunting film. A film that has been grossly overlooked due to its slow pace and lack of explosions, wall-to-wall action that is not what this film is about this film is about life, about love, about death and what is important in life. "The American" is the intelligent moviegoers film a film that must be looked at for more than what it is on the surface. Seen for the dark, methodical psychological outlook on human nature that it is This is one of the very best of 2010 and one of the best throwback drama-thrillers I have seen in a long, a true and shining statement that there is still some magic left in the movie business. "The Americanâ€ is-how I would describe it- a thinking man's kind of film. This is a film that depends on your mind to be open too it if you close your mind off to this films deeply layered, character driven story you will loose all the enjoyment that you can derive from this astounding feat of filmmaking. However, if you are looking for a good action espionage thriller than I am here to inform you this is not the film you are looking for I can recommend Brian DePalma's "Mission: Impossible" if that is the kind of spy thriller you are looking for. "The American" is a contemplative psychological chamber drama that delves deep into the psyche of a man whose entire life centered on death. How every move he makes during and after a kill has to calculated down to a T. Everything from where he sleeps, where he lives? Where he goes he has to take account of everything around him that is not the kind of life Jack wants to live he wants to be free to walk around without looking over his shoulder all the time. To truly be free and live a life that he has always felt that he deserves. "The American" is a very thoughtful film in how it plays its characters it doesn't just use them as a clothes line for special effects, sex scenes or dull romantic situations it uses its characters to get its highly philosophical points across on the issues of death, love and life. This is one of the yearâ€™s best films that takes you down a path that is not soaked in blood but in regret and remorse, this is a story of one man's redemption and how by choosing to leave everything he has known behind he has unleashed a hornet's nest of betrayal, deception, love and murder. This is one of the can't miss films of the new decade, a true masterpiece amongst many inferior films that came out in 2010 and a gorgeous meditative piece of filmmaking that delves deep into the lives of a small group of people who surround a man trying to escape his past. Out of all the small number of great films I have seen in 2010 and the massive number of terrible films I saw that year. "The American" is one of the definitive films of a rather abysmal year this film is the dark beacon that shines through the grim and the dirt of the bad films coming out of the gate a glimmer of hope that filmmaking has a chance to still amaze and wow us. This is one of those films.… Expand

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The Adjustment Bureau

Average User Score: 6.6

User Score 7

Picture your life as perfect as anyone could have ever imagined. You have a great high-ranking job you have subordinates that think the world of you everything is going perfectly your life could never have been better if someone had planned it yourself. What if someone had planned everything in your life right down to the T; What if what you are meant to do is part of some higher plan to shape the course of coming events to avoid a disaster or to change the flow of history? What would you do if you knew that a group of mysterious men who monitor the whole world are trying to keep order and peace has nudged everything you have ever worked for in your entire life in the right direction? Would you try to change your destiny? Or can your destiny really be altered at all? Can your fate be predetermined to have an outcome that benefits the whole world or would you fight back to change their plan to create your own destiny, to create your own fate to create your destiny not controlled by a higher authority. Would you fight for that? Would you fight for your freedom, fight for youâ€™re the people you love, would you fight for your right of freewill for your right of choice? Would you fight for your fate? Director/writer George Nolfi's thought provoking examination of predestination and fate is a film that tries and slightly succeeds on its attempt to show audiences a world where your choices are not yours. And the path you walk in life is predetermined for you from the very beginning by a higher power that has a certain plan for your life that you have no idea is being put into motion to either avert a massive disaster or to change the natural flow of events. Nolfi(Writer of "Ocean's 12,"The Sentinel" and co-writer of "The Bourne Ultimatum") blends themes of political intrigue and mind-bending Science Fiction -via the world of master Sci-Fi writer Phillip K. Dick - has the ambition that rivals that of some of the best of Science Fiction's paranoiac tales. But it lacks the focus needed to really elevate it from good to legendary instead it kind of meanders it way through its plot all the while trying to find a smooth pace and a consistent tone. In the end it is able to smooth out its pace but the tone of this film seems to be all over the place, like director Nolfi was trying to hard to give it the feel of a dark paranoiac with very romantic overtones and then tries to insert the feel of a Sci-Fi chase thriller coupled with political intrigue. This film juggles all these genre themes without ever settling on one causing this film to have a lukewarm presentation. You feel involved and then you don't then you do and then you don't, the tonal shifts are this film's one major weakness and almost cripple any enjoyment you may try to take away from this beautifully made intelligently written film. Thanks in part to strong performances from its leads, intelligent dialogue, and a thought-provoking premise that brings up intriguing questions about destiny and fate this film is able to keep its head above the water instead of sinking like a stone. Director George Nolfi may not have the whole directing gig down to a T with "The Adjustment Bureau" he shows more promise than I ever imagined. This film has all the bells and whistles and even though some of those bells may be broken or don't sound as sweet as they should this film still is able to be music to an intelligent moviegoers ears. "The Adjustment Bureau" is what I would like to call a morally complex film. This film does not dwell on action and it does not implement an abundance of special effects to try and mask the holes in its story or to enhance an otherwise dull film in terms of F/X this film is rather simplistic in its storytelling is where is true strength lies. Director/writer George Nolfi shows immense talent with his ambitious first film he shows a flare for the dramatics, an eye for romance an ear and intelligence for finely written dialogue Nolfi displays some very impressive skills in this sometimes murky film. He shows he has the skills to be a strong competent director but he lacks true focus and a sure hand. Nolfi has trouble deciding what he truly wants for this film or where he wants to take it he is not daring enough to put himself out on a limb therefore the film stays in its comfort zone, making this a very enjoyable film. However, seeing the material that inspired it and talent involved it could have been so much more than what it is. "The Adjustment Bureau" is a smart, taunt, romantic, morally emotionally complex film that deals with heavy themes such as fate, destiny, and choice lacing them with heavy romantic and political overtones this film has all the trappings and the pedigree to boot. The only thing that holds it… Expand

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Due Date

Average User Score: 6.3

User Score 1

After the huge critical and commercial success of Todd Phillips'(Director of "Old School", â€œStarsky and Hutch" and "School for Scoundrels") "The Hangover"(which already has a sequel in the works and will be released this year) Phillips' became a worldwide sensation. He took the box-office by storm with his widely inventive- If not at some points- lowbrow instant stonier comedy classic "The Hangover" literally redefining the meaning of the hangover. With his newest comedy, Phillips has devised an extraordinarily lowbrow update of the classic Candy-Martin classic "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.â€ The only difference between these two films is that "Planes, trains and automobiles" is considered near and far as a classic and â€œDue Date"... well let's just say classic is not the word I would use kindly to describe this travesty of a comedy. This film lacks any dignity at all it has no shame in what it does or who it is doing it to, it lacks any shred of emotional connection between these gloriously mismatched stars in Robert Downey , Jr. and the bushy bearded funny man Zach Galifianakis. Who in a more respectable and laughter inducing film they would have been an amazing team instead of a groan inducing, cringe worthy one. "Due Dateâ€ should work it should be funny sadly, it is not. â€œDue Date" tries to be a kind of bicker until they become friendâ€™s kind of comedy but here is the sad part that premise ran itself into the ground about 35 years ago. The last great comedy to attempt to use that formula and succeed was the great "Planes, Trains and Automobilesâ€ and after that film almost all comedies tried to recreate the formula that made that comedy a classic; they tried to no avail I must say. Now I won't lie to you this film had it's moments there were a few scenes in the beginning that made me laugh but sadly those scenes in the beginning that worked however, as soon as Peter(Robert Downey, Jr.) met Ethan( Zach Galifianakis) the whole film took the "Twilight" approach when Bella met Edward and went downhill from there. Now this very well made good-looking film that has the talent and the attitude to be a great buddy comedy. However, the overall Ricky Gervais-Golden Globes- feel atmosphere that the script from the script by Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, Adam Sztykie, and Todd Phillips wrote never seems to give its characters or the audience much reason to care. You feel disjointed and almost utter disgust as you watch the despicable Peter and the insufferable Ethan go on a nausea inducing road trip. So Peter can go get home to his young pregnant wife (played by Michelle Monaghan) who is going to give birth in a few days so he can be there to welcome his child into this world. Personally after seeing Peter's treatment of other people's children I think that child would be better off being given up for adoption to a mother and especially a father who would not sock him straight in the stomach if he/she got annoying. "Due Date" is what comedy in this day and age has come to annoying, soulless characters who are bickering more than they should and falling into A-typical comedic pratfalls and fights that are some of the most disgruntled I have ever seen put to film to date. There is a scene in "Due Date" so deplorable, so low down, so laugh free is when Peter is with Ethan at his drug dealer's(played by Juliette Lewis) house to obtain marijuana Peter is left with here two kids a girl and her extremely annoying brother who keeps pestering Peter. In a complete lack of morals, Peter sucker punches the young boy right in the stomach then proceeds to place him on the couch. That concisely explains the whole mood of the film where every pratfall every slapstick, overly mundane piece of shtick that comes flowing from this film is laden with malice and hatred. How anyone especially Todd Phillips could think that punching children and a constant air of hatred could actually induce laughter is beyond me this film obviously thinks that this is funny so, why not? I'll tell you why not because in comedy you are not suppose to hate the characters on the screen you are suppose to be at least have some kind of feelings towards these characters and there plight. With this film, all you feel is nothing but disgust and hatred towards these not so likable fellows. "Due Date" has all the ingredients for a perfect road-trip comedy but what it is missing is the secret ingredient... a sense of joy. This film nor its characters takes any joy in what they are doing they just look like they are going through the motions without a care not even stopping for a moment to consider the irrevocable harm they are doing to both there film and the audience. "Due Date" has the right stuff if only it had taken the time to use that to its advantage instead of making it advantages its disadvantages.… Expand

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Love and Other Drugs

Average User Score: 5.9

User Score 10

Edward Zwick's "Love & Other Drugs" is typical rom-com flare seriously upgraded thanks to a surprisingly adult outlook when it comes to romance instead of using the typical romantic comedy stereotypes such as the bicker till they kiss romance plot line seen in " The Ugly Truth", "You've Got Mail", "Life as we know it". It does not sink to the conventional needs to tell a compelling and surprisingly fast paced love story about two people who do not want to get tied down by commitment. This films explores something that has become a very hot topic in romantic films as of lately they explore the aspect of a relationship without the relationship part no strings attached, no feelings just good sex and just sex but as anyone who has ever loved someone you know that you cannot keep it simple because eve if you keep the relationship just about sex sooner or later one or both involved is going to start forming some kind of attachment to the other person involved in this illicit act. The one thing that helped this film from sinking from above average romantic dramedy to sex comedy is the fine screenplay by Edward Zwick, Charles Randolph and Marshall Herskovitz they don't condescend or play off some of the more overly sentimental in the audience they wisely choose to have the film start out simple and gradually find its dramatic footing as you get in deeper into this films romantic story of fast talking, smooth operator Jamie Randall(Jake Gyllenhaal) and his no strings attached romance with free spirited sexually uninhibited Maggie Murdock(Anne Hathaway). When you first meet Jamie he works at a electronics store and it seems that Jamie is very good at what he does he has the charm to get anyone he comes into contact with in the store to not leave empty handed and he has the looks and the sex appeal to get any women he wants no matter who they are. Everything seems to be good for Jamie that is until he gets offered a job as a pharmaceutical representative for Pfizer pharmaceuticals. from then on everything changes for Jamie in the best and worst possible way he finds his main purpose in life as a slick pharmaceutical salesman he also finds that he now has an endless list of women that he can sack and leave behind if he chooses so. That is until he meets Maggie who isn't looking for anything serious Jamie thinks he isn't looking for anything serious either but deep down inside everyone even players like Jamie Randall sooner or later have to admit that when it comes to love there is no easy way, there is no keeping it simple because when it comes to love it is not simple or easy but there are those rare instances that it is definitely worth the trouble that it can bring with it . "Love and Other Drugs" is one of the sharpest , one of the most intelligent and possible one of the sexiest romantic dramedies I have ever seen. This is a quick witted fast paced film in its first half as you watch young Jamie skyrocket up the working ladder from electronic salesman to pharmaceutical salesman making a killing in the sales world and in the sack (which is not bad by male standards). But deep inside you know that Jamie is a hopeless romantic at heart even though he tries to keep it simple with Maggie he can not help himself by falling in love with her it is the way of life. You can not avoid love no matter how hard you try because when you least expect it love happens. "Love and Other Drugs" is the intelligent moviegoers romantic film, a film that does not condescend or play games with you it is straightforward with the audience even when its characters are not with each other, this is a fine example of how a true romantic film should be made(writers in Hollywood take note) "Love and Other Drugs" is a fine film and one of the years best romantic dramedies. I enjoyed this nice little surprise of a film immensely and I will be truthful with you I have never had this much fun watching a romantic film since I saw "Last Chance Harvey"(and that wasn't to long ago either) this truly a great picture and a true testament that love can never uncomplicated but if you ignore it the more complicated it can become, sometimes you just have to give into the feelings and try to make the best out of everyday of your life even if it won't always be easy.… Expand

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True Grit

Average User Score: 7.8

User Score 10

When you walk into "True Grit,â€ you take your seat and proceed to watch this film you sit there thinking that you have seen this all before. You have seen westerns with tough cowboys and a strong woman who tags along on there quest for vengeance or hires the rough and tough lawman to exact vengeance on the people or person who took away the one they loved. Well if you have seen "True Grit" than what I have just wrote is mostly true "True Grit" is at its core a revenge story a revenge story of a daughter who wants to exact it on the man who murdered her father. However, â€œTrue Grit" is much more than your A-typical western this film has great moments of wit and deep emotional conflict between the characters they laugh, they cry, they fight and bleed together. Over the course of this film Mattie Ross (Hailee Stienfeld), Eugene "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and the ever-bragging Texas Ranger LeBeouf (Matt Damon) bond and become sort of a dysfunctional family of sorts as they traverse the harsh plains to track down a killer named Chaney (Josh Brolin) the man who murdered Mattie Ross's father. What The Coen's do here is not imitate the 1969 film but more adapt the 1968 novel for which that film is made they do not try to imitate Henry Hathaway's film but better yet try to improve on the story that was already there. They give this new film much needed depth of character and prowess they give these characters what they so lacked in the original film a sense of belonging in this world a sense of place. In the 1969 film the characters all just seemed to take a backseat to "Rooster" Cogburn while LeBeouf and Mattie Ross both played in the original film by Glenn Campbell and Kim Darby respectively were kind of sidelined and never really played to there fullest extent. With The Coen's version all three characters have there day and all three get to shine at one point or another. out of all the performances from this impressive cast I must note the one by young up and comer Hailee Stienfeld who gives an Oscar worthy performance as the young highly intelligent and tenacious Mattie Ross. A girl with the inner strength of a world-hardened man yet at the same time has the innocence of the child that she is. Mattie is what most women aspire to be she is strong, forceful and persuasive she does not take no for an answer she is the kind of woman most men love to hate and allot of men want to love, but most of all she has one mission and one mission only: hunt down Tom Chaney and kill him. Hailee Stienfeld turns in a masterful performance, this is one of the greatest breakout performances I have ever seen a true work of true talent that surpasses all belief. "True Grit" is not just one of the best films of the year it is one of the best films of this new decade a film that not only surpasses the original sets itself up as an instant modern classic. That new generation of movie lovers can sit and watch in awe of its amazing grandeur and wonder this is filmmaking at its purest form at its most established. This is the kind of film that is the reason why people go to the movies in the first place why people love movies; this is a film for film lovers for those who love the old west this is the film for those who loved films and for those who love them still. This is the movie of the moment this is the film that restores the wounded, left for dead heart of the old west back to its former glory to its former power, "True Grit" is more than just your average western this is the consummate western for our times a film that literally redefines the meaning of what it is to be a western.… Expand

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TRON: Legacy

Average User Score: 7.0

User Score 8

"Tron Legacy" is what you would call pure eye candy with a heavy visual twist much like "The Matrix"(1998) and "Inception"(2010) the only thing that separates these two films from Legacy is there deep rooted stories groundbreaking visuals, thought provoking premises and phenomenal scripts from there respective directors. This sequel of the 1982 cult classic is rather simple stuff the screenplay by Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis is dull with uninspired dialogue and a lack of real emotions. But what the screenplay lacks the sheer power of this visuals, action, story and the return of Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn greatly makes up for the lack of compelling dialogue in this film. First time director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda do a bang up job bringing this visually lush world to life breathing life into a rather lifeless film and in the process creating a fantastical film that literally jumps out of the screen. "Tron Legacy" is a massive improvement on the original in both visuals and style what the original lacked this absorbing sequel makes up for it with a high octane, bold adventure that is ripped right from the world of TRON, this film may lack compelling dialogue but it has just enough intelligence, style, charm and just enough well written dialogue to save this from being a disaster "Tron Legacy " is a magical in the sense of its wonder and excitement, in its visuals and its at times emotional father son tale at the heart of this film. This film is not one of the years best and it is nowhere near as good as any other high gloss Science Fiction adventure such as "The Matrix" or "Inception" but "Tron Legacy" proves to be one of the years most enjoyable popcorn adventure flicks and one of the most enjoyable film of this holiday season. I loved every minute of this wildly entertaining film. To watch this film you have to leave you inhibitions at the door, you have to leave logic at the door and just sit back and enjoy the ride, which is what I did. I just sat back and enjoyed this film for what it is flaws and all and trust me when I say this movie has a boatload of them. To save this film the embarrassment I am going to restrain from naming them. However, I will name one the plot; the plot of this film is so full of holes big enough that you could stuff the whole digital world into it. That is not the point of this film that is not why it was made. If this film was made to be "Inception,â€ it would be but sadly, it is not. "Tron Legacy" is a great looking thrilling film that works despite the obvious flaws it has all the appeal of the 1982 supposed cult classic (which I did not like very much). What separates these two films is the upgrade in special effects and story. I know I shouldn't like this film as much as I should but I cannot help It I did this is a very enjoyable film and an excellent way to blow nearly two hours at the movies. This film is escapism at its very best a film where you can sit there and watch as your senses bombarded with visual excess and stylish execution. If you are looking for 1hr. 50 mins of pure unadulterated escapist fun than look no, further than "Tron Legacy" a summer blockbuster released in the winter. "Tron Legacy" will not win many over with its lack of originality, it's lack of a coherent plot or high grade acting(the worse being Hedlund the best coming from Bridges, Wilde and Sheen) this is a rather impressive piece of filmmaking. A fine debut for director Joseph Kosinski who shows he has an eye for filmmaking he just hasn't found his story yet. "Tron Legacy" is a visually arresting summer blockbuster that explodes off the screen in a fury of lights, energy and action this, and I might be in the minority here, is one of the most visually stunning entertaining films this year a true visual wonder and a delight to watch.… Expand

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The Other Guys

Average User Score: 6.6

User Score 5

I have never been a huge fan of Will Ferrell for all intensive purposes I actually loathe him(as an actor), you see Ferrell is like a dog who got out of his back yard and now has no idea where to go or what to do. All he knows is that he is free, free to roam around, free to chase cars. Just like a dog chasing a car, Ferrell never really learns when enough is enough. In "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" Ferrell plays an idiotic simpleton with one dream to go fast!!! So does Ricky Bobby. The main problem with "Talladega Nights" is that it relies on idiotic antics to induce laughter when there is no laughter to give. Adam McKay's "The Other Guys" is in some ways like "Talladega Nights" it follows two bungling New York City detectives Detective Allen Gamble(Will Ferrell) and his volatile partner Detective Terry Hoitz(a funnier than expected Mark Wahlberg) are two mismatched cops hot on the trail of a corporate conspiracy. That essentially is the plot of the entire film in a nutshell, through out most of the picture Gamble and Hoitz are running around aimlessly trying to piece together a conspiracy that to a normal person would seem paper-thin but too gamble and Hoitz itâ€™s complicated. Adam McKay and Co-writer Chris Henchy have put together a rather simple yet thoroughly entertaining comedic spoof on the buddy cop movies popular in the 80's and 90's. However, there is one thing another film just like "The Other Guys" came out not too long ago it was Kevin Smith's pathetic "Cop Out" starring Bruce Willis and the insufferable Tracy Morgan. That film was Smith's attempt at spoofing the buddy cop genre sadly his film fell far too short of the required standards ranked amongst the worst films of the year as well as one of Smith's worst films. "The Other Guys" now that is a different story this film is funny but it lacks a certain hilarity to that is necessary for a film of this caliber I laughed but never hard enough that I would call myself satisfied with this film. Adam McKay has crafted a daring comedic tale in the style of Richard Donner's "Lethal Weapon" series his spoof lacks luster and a real sense of enjoyment and spirit in what he is doing and what his characters are doing they don't seem to be having any fun, of course they are suppose to be serious; but get serious! In a spoof as wild as zany as this you never for one instance buy these two bumble head ninnies as cops for a minute. The truth of the matter is you never were suppose to for the beginning Gamble and Hoitz are like water and oil they don't go together they just mix cause a mess and ruin everything. In this films case the two supposed heroes almost bungle every single situation of the case that they confront which leads to hilarious hi jinx's, audacious car chases, gay homeless people and a reference to Grand Theft Auto â€œThe Other Guys" should be a laugh out loud riot but sadly it is just a chuckle riot where you get a few good laughs but nothing that would cause you to seek serious medical attention afterwards. What I liked most about this film is the fact that it tries its hardest to get a good laugh out of the audience and in some key points this film does but the jokes are too dull, too lifeless at times to induce a real sense of joy while watching this film. Now donâ€™t get me wrong I did like this movie for what it accomplished but what through me for a curve was the simple fact that it has no idea where it is going what it is going to do next or what it is going to blow up next. "The Other Guys" looks great in its trailer and the idea is great on film but the lack of joy in this film left me with a empty feeling inside that stayed with me all the way home. The kind of feeling you get from watching a movie that doesnâ€™t do what you hoped it would do or give you the thrills you expected. That feeling the feeling I felt after seeing "The Other Guys" was quiet semi-disappointment I liked this movie then again I didn't, I laughed but I didn't laugh hard enough, I enjoyed myself but not as much as I had hoped walking in and even less when I was walking out. "The Other Guys" is the kind of film you like more when you are watching it than in retrospect.… Expand

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Scream 2

Average User Score: 7.1

User Score 10

It has been a year since the events at Woodsboro. A year since a psychotic killer went on a rampage sending a wave of fear and paranoia through a once peaceful town. The hero Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has survived her ordeal but left emotionally scarred and despondent she is now attending Windsor College in Ohio with one of the survivors of the Woodsboro murders, Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) the ultimate horror movie guide who narrowly escaped with his life after his previous encounter with Ghostface. Sidney and Randy are just trying to get on with there lives and put the past behind them trying to forget the painful memories of those that they lost a year ago. But the past never stays dead and nor does a killer as it is seems someone has taken up the mantle of the Ghostface killer once again and is seeking revenge on the survivors of the Woodsboro killings. Could it be the killer come back to life? Alternatively, is it someone else who has once again taken there love of scary movies one-step too far? "Scream 2" starts off with slam bang opening a young African American couple(Omar Epps and Jada Pinkett Smith) are brutally murdered at the premiere of the new slasher flick "STAB" and it seems that someone has taken up the mantle of Ghostface once again. This slam bang, home run sequel from Director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson is in a rare group, it is a sequel that is more intelligent, far more brutal, and hilarious the groundbreaking original. â€œScream 2" in lack of better words is a standard order run of the mill sequel where the kills are bloodier and the deaths are more elaborate the only thing that separates this sequel from others of its kind is the simple fact that this sequel has a brain. This film is not just some mindless exploitative slasher sequel that you commonly find with films of the horror genre like "SAW", "A Nightmare on Elm Street", "Halloween", "Friday the 13th" and "Psycho"(Yes the great "Psycho" had sequels). "Scream 2" improves on the original by widening the scope of the story and setting it in a more spacious location than the small town from the first film this time around. It is set at a college; another overly used location from horror films such as "Sorority Row,â€ the only difference is that the college setting only enhances the tension and the suspense of the film giving it an eerier feel a more malevolent air of menace and chaos. Screenwriter Kevin Williamson improves on his ingenious idea with an even more ingenious second entry. "Scream 2" is every horror fans dream a sequel that actually lives up to the original and in some ways surpasses it this film not only lives up to its ever so illustrious title but it further breaks down the walls surrounding the clichÃ©s of the horror genre. Director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson have crafted an ever so ingenious sequel that takes the clichÃ©s of horror sequels and brings them front and center in this inventive, macabre follow up to the smash hit cult classic. "Scream 2" is a smart blend of horror laughs and inside jokes, Kevin Williamson's screenplay is tight, intelligent, and ever so clever. This film does not rely on using as many horror clichÃ©s as the original; instead Williamson and Craven put there heads together and create a film that not only lives up to the cult classic "Scream"(1996) we are in a rare territory where the sequel surpasses the original "Scream 2" is one of the best horror sequels ever made. This film is a true testament that a good high quality horror sequel is possible all that needed is a clever, inventive script a good director and a top-notch cast, put them together and what do you get? "Scream 2.â€ A Sequel that transcends all expectations.… Expand

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Scream

Average User Score: 8.2

User Score 10

If you are going to survive a horror film there are rules one must abide (1. You can never have sex, (2. You can never drink or do drugs (you will be too out of it to escape the killers rampage), (3. Never under any circumstances say, â€œYou'll be right back"(because you won't be back). So what if someone took those rules and used them to there advantage? What if someone took there love of scary movies one-step further and brought there buried homicidal nature to the surface to unleash on the ones around them? What if a killer started to stalk you just like in the movies, how would you survive? Director Wes Craven and screenplay writer Kevin Williamson have taken all the dark twisted and oddly demented clichÃ©s and ideas from past slasher flicks and have accumulated them together in one film that where a group of teenagers are stalked by some psychotic freak in a mask and you know what its just like in the movies. When "Scream" was originally released in December of 1996 (a strange month to release a horror film), it racked in the money at the box-office grossing more than 173 million dollars worldwide and positioning itself as one of the scariest and most successful horror films ever made. The massive success of this film is largely due to the sharp, knee direction of horror veteran Wes Craven and the wry wit and originality of screenwriter Kevin Williamson's script which merge together to help give what could have been a clichÃ©d slasher flick the needed originality and flavor. "Scream" is a wholly original piece of work that uses the clichÃ©s established by other teen slasher flicks like the "Friday the 13th" series (1980-1933), "Nightmare on Elm Street" films (1982-1994), "Prom Nightâ€ (1980), and "Fun house"(1981). Some of these films actually mentioned in the film by the resident horror buff Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy in a hilarious performance) this is the distinction that sets "Scream" apart from other slasher flicks. You see in this film the kids in the movie have seen horror films they know how it goes, they know the rules of the game (the rules which I included in this review, check paragraph one) so incidentally if a real killer should try to kill them they would know what to do right? Right, Williamson, and Craven throw every clichÃ© in the book into this movie and use it fully. Like for instance in the very beginning of the film a young perky blonde(In this case Drew Barrymore) is home all alone making some popcorn getting ready to watch a scary movie with her boyfriend who is going to join her in watching the film. However, if you have seen any horror films you know the perky blonde-haired woman always dies right in the beginning of the film and coincidentally her boyfriend does too. But that is what makes "Scream" so great you get to see all theses clichÃ©s that have been used before like the killer calling his soon to be victim over the phone (When a Stranger calls), the first victims being a blonde-haired woman and her boyfriend (Halloween). "Scream" writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven uses these horror formulas to there advantage and flesh them out into something of a Meta film this is kind of a film within a film about another film like Wes Craven previous film "New Nightmare.â€ "Scream" is one of the most original and most terrifying horror films that ever been made about horror films. This a true tribute as to why teenager in horror should always been aware of horror films it gives them a more intellectual advantage and gives this formulaic framework the added originality it needs to be called a classic of horror.… Expand

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Youth Without Youth

Average User Score: 6.0

User Score 10

What is life? Life is a dream that you can sometimes wake up from and then it is not, there is no dream there is nothing but life, how do you define what you are doing or how you are living by simple means? How do you define where you go, what you do, or whom you meet? What is life but a fleeting thing that begins one moment and then ends the next? However, out of death, there is life and out of life, there is death. There are no clear paths in life except for the ones that we make for ourselves, we try to comprehend the dire state of the situation that we are in, but we do not know the real troubles that this life holds for us. So I ask you if you had the chance to live your youth over again to do it all right to make better choices to change the unchangeable to undo the undoable to make your life something more than what it has turned out, would you? Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth Without Youth" is a deep, morbid, highly complex, enthralling and mind bending films I have ever seen Coppola has crafted a movie that not only works as a piece of experimental film making but as a piece of expressionism and deep rooted meaning about the true nature of life. How this film plays with the many different emotions is astounding. Throughout the film, there are many questions that Coppola presents for the audience to answer. One of those questions asked is what is there to life and why do us as humans make the choices we do. "Youth without Youth" is an ingenious mix of genres that blends the bleakness of the morals of humanity with the dark and morbid reality of the limitations of life. This film is a fascinating portrayal of how age can be the enemy of our greatest achievements while we may find ourselves loved by millions or have won some prestigious award that makes you famous in time, our accomplishments and the person who achieved them are all but forgotten. In the case of seventy year old, Dominic Matei (Tim Roth) life has seemed to pass him by as a young man he had all the time in the world but now that he has just turned seventy years old it seems like there is no time for anyone or anything. After a lightning bolt strikes the elderly professor, he somehow returned to the days of his youth and given a second chance to rediscover all that time has taken away from him, to rediscover himself, to rediscover love and to finish the work he started so long ago. This film's story and premise so convoluted and disjointed that to try to describe this film would be all but impossible. It is kind of like describing the plot of â€œThe Matrix"(1999) or "Inception"(2010) or "Blade Runner"(1982). The questions are numerous the answers are few. To be honest with you there are no answers for this film only questions those questions are numerous and daunting there are a few things that make sense in Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth without Youth.â€ This film meant to be like a jigsaw puzzle Coppola gives you the pieces the viewer has to put all the pieces together if it is possible. "Youth Without Youth" is a dazzling, mesmerizing and mind bending film that takes the most basic elements of life and fantasy and blends them together to form a story that lives up to the name it carries and the man behind the camera. This film is like a twisted version of a Robert Frost poem with its non-linear references of life, its twisted and sometimes diluted outlook on war, politics, and love that last beyond life itself. "Youth without Youth" is an extravaganza of style, technique, depth of character the meaning of life itself this is a highly moving and engrossing film that not only provokes thoughts challenges you to push yourself further when it comes to movies. This is not a movie for those who have a thing for films like "Transformers"(2007) or its money making train wreck "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"(2009) this is the kind of film for intelligent moviegoers for those who want to question the happenings in this exceedingly complex piece of work. Truth be told no one is debating the plot of "Twilight Saga: Eclipse"(2010) this is the kind of film that works to challenge its viewers to make them try and comprehend the daring plot and confounding premise, â€œYouth Without Youth" is one of the best films of the last decade and a triumphant return for master filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola proving he still has what it takes to still be considered one of the greatest directors of all time.… Expand

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