The Gambler

The Gambler is a complicated film, despite it's title it's not really about gambling, it's about a man who would rather die than live a mediocre life.  In an attempt to fill the void of his current mediocre life he gambles, he doesn't care how much debt he builds up with loan sharks who will kill him because he would rather die than live his life the way it's going.  Some people will not understand the theme of this film and hate it, but if you've ever striven for more in your life and hated the way your life was (or is) then you can understand the theme of the film and connect with Mark Wahlberg's character.

Story

The Gambler is a complicated story, there are layers to it.  Overall it's a very well written story, it's not so dense that you can't follow it but it's deep enough that it will make you think.

Acting

Mark Wahlberg just looks like he's someone who has given up and doesn't care anymore, and that's what the character called for, you can really believe that this person doesn't care if he lives or dies.  John Goodman plays the caring scumbag part perfectly, he knows there's a problem and tries to help but deep down is still a scumbag and makes things worse.  Jessica Lang is the concerned and tired mother, you can see the hurt that she feels and really believe that she's feeling what the character is supposed to feel.

Music

Not much to speak of here, there was a little radio in the background style music but over all there wasn't really anything to speak of in the film.

Conclusion

Everyone should take a gamble of this film, it's not going to be for everyone but if you've ever felt out of place or incomplete in life I think you'll enjoy this film.  Just remember that just because this film is called The Gambler it's not really about gambling, it's about a life unfulfilled.

Sunshine

The film Sunshine written by Alex Garland was a surprise joy to watch, I didn't have high hopes for the film based on the description but by the time I was half way through the film I was glued to the screen.  The film takes place in 2057, the sun is slowly dying causing a solar winter on earth, a team of astronauts are sent to the sun with a nuclear bomb the size of Manhattan to restart the sun and bring it back to life.  Things start to go wrong and what follows is a tense, edge of your seat thriller right to the end.

Story

I'm not going to lie, the story it's self sounds terrible, but once you see the film you'll understand that the basic story has little to do with the actual film.  The film is about the drama and suspense built up around the events going on during the mission to the sun.  While the idea is ridiculous, the story is well written and will entertain you to the very last minute.

Music

There really wasn't much music to speak of here, mostly you got little bits of orchestra music to help set the tone of the scene.  I think this was a good choice, the film takes place in the vacuum of space, and the lack of music really helped give that dead space feeling to the film.

Acting

Cillian Murphy once again delivers an outstanding performance, ever since I saw him in Batman Begins I've been amazed at his acting abilities.  He plays the weak nerdy man who of course in the end has to overcome impossible odds, and the whole time he is on screen you believe in his character.  Chris Evens is the jock type, but still has the brain to make it believable that he would be on a highly technical space mission.  Mark Strong was perfect, the way he was shot in this film gave you just enough to feel the fear the other characters were feeling while not going over the top and drawing you out of the film, even in well lit scenes you don't get a clear look at him only the fear on the other charterers.  Rose Byrne, Michelle Yeoh, Cliff Curtis, Troy Garity, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Benedict Wong all play their parts perfectly, helping to build suspense while keeping the story flowing.

Conclusion

Sunshine is a must see thriller film, don't let the description fool you it's a great film that has been overlooked.  The story is great, the acting is wonderful, and in the end you will be happy you've seen it.  Just to prove to you how much I enjoyed this film, as soon as it was over I bought the film and added it to my collection, I have a feeling this will be one of those films that I go back and watch again and again picking up little things I missed before.

American Sniper

American Sniper is the story of Chris Kyle, and US Navy SEAL Sniper deployed 4 times to Iraq, based on the book of the same name.  The film is an emotional roller coaster, you'll see the highs and the lows of a warrior, and you'll see the emotional and physical toll war takes on our warriors.  I've seen a lot of controversy surrounding this film and I'd just like to say that the people calling Chris Kyle a murder should also thank him for his service to this country because it's in the United States that you have the freedom to say those things, no matter how much of a scumbag it makes you.  Look I was against the Iraq war from the beginning, but like it or not the troops were there and Chris Kyle was protecting his fellow warriors, it wasn't his job to protest the war, his job was to do what the Commander-in-Chief ordered him to do, and that was protect his fellow warriors and take out terrorists.  Is it Hollywood propaganda?  A little.  But it's also showing you people what warriors go though and tremendous toll it takes on them and their families.  Maybe all those who say this is Hollywood propaganda and glorifies murder should take a second look and actually watch the film and see the real story.

Protest the government, not the troops.

Story

Amazing.  Obviously it's not going to be able to tell the whole story in just two hours, but what you see is powerful.  The horrible choices his forced to make, the toll those choices take on him, the hardship his family goes though, it's all enough to make you want to cry.  Knowing it's true just makes it hit you even harder.

Music

Well there really isn't any, and I like that.  The fact that there really isn't any music in this film just heightens the tense feelings and drama.

Acting

Bradly Cooper was fantastic, he dove into this part and really made me believe he was Chris Kyle, he didn't even look or sound like himself, it was just amazing.  If you watch the making of documentary for American Sniper you'll see just how much he did to play the part perfectly, his dedication to a single roll is astounding.  Truly I think Bradly Cooper is one of the best actors of this generation.  Sienna Miller was great, he could be snarky and loving and frantic all without taking it to far.  She also impressed me with her level of dedication to her part as you can see in the make of documentary.

Conclusion

A must see film.  Everyone should see this film at least once, and if you don't get the true story about the toll war takes on the warrior and the family then you need to watch it again and understand what the film is trying to tell you.  This film is not glorifying murder, it's exposing what war does to the people who fight it and those whom they love.  So rent it, buy it, what ever you do, just see it.  I know it's been added to my collection.

Grudge Match

Grudge Match is a film about a pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout, 30 years after their last match.  It's a comedy/sports film that will make you laugh but it's not a pure comedy.  I really enjoyed this film, I wasn't laughing throughout the film but when I did laugh I laughed hard.  It's kind of funny seeing De Niro from Ragging Bull and Stallone from Rocky come together for one more boxing film, only this time it's two guys you'd never expect to see in the ring.

Story

The story was good and believable, it tugs on the right heart strings and makes you laugh at the right times.  It's a bit like Rocky, and down and out former boxer gets the chance to prove himself in the ring and still has time to fall in love, and bring his old trainer out of retirement to help him, and in the end fight the high roller other boxer.  The film poke fun at some of the stuff done in the Rocky films and has some cheesy one liners but it holds up and never really get old.

Music

I'm just going to be honest, there isn't much, so I can't really say anything here.

Acting

Stallone plays Rocky, he's just in Pittsburgh this time.  Some people don't like Stallone but he's a fine actor and did a fine job here.  De Niro plays the white Apollo Creed, he showboats and taunts but ultimately fights.  Another fine performance from De Niro, he really knows how to sell it.  Kim Basinger plays Adrian, Rocky's love but this time with a little twist.  Basinger plays it fine, I've never been a huge fan of her work but she is fine here.  Alan Arkin plays Mickey, he even has the hearing aid!  Arkin is great, he's a pervert and a hard ass all at the same time, I love it.  Kevin Hart is Don King, he's an asshole and the butt of the joke.  Normally I don't really like Hart but this time he was perfect, he made you hate him while still laughing at him.  Over all the acting was fine, everyone sold their parts and made for an enjoyable watch.

Conclusion

If you haven't seen Grudge Match I suggest you rent it, it's worth it.  It's not going to be the film you want to keep going back to over and over again but you'll enjoy watching it, you may even enjoy watching it a second time later on.  I'd say give it a shot.