The Last Exorcism (2010)

Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) is a troubled minister, who after a successful career performing exorcisms for financial gain, has completely lost his faith. He's agreed to perform one last exorcism, on camera, in an attempt to expose the practice as nothing but parlor tricks, and mental illness.


He responds to a random letter from a farmer who believes his daughter has been possessed by the devil, after his livestock begins turning up dead. Cotton loads up the van with his exorcism kit, and a film crew and heads to the backwoods of Louisiana to the Sweetzer farm.


Upon arriving, Cotton meets Louis Sweetzer (Louis Herthum), and his creepy daughter Nell (Ashley Bell). After interviewing the family, and accessing the situation, he agrees to perform the exorcism. What he thinks is a simple case of a teenager with psychiatric issues, quickly becomes much more than he planned.


The whole film is shot in documentary style, which works well with a relatively unknown cast.


I liked this movie. It actually scared me a few times, and kept me tense throughout the last 20 minutes. I really enjoyed the story, and thought the character of Cotton was inspired. The ending is not quite what I expected, but that seems to be a common thing anymore in films. I like to be surprised, but not just for the sake of being surprised. Occasionally, a standard ending works. Sometimes I want what the obvious ending.


Regardless, this is worth watching if you like movies about possession, or the occult.


Rated PG13, 87mns

Going The Distance (2010)

Erin (Drew Barrymore) is a summer intern at a newspaper in New York City. Garrett (Justin Long) is a music label rep who has just recently ended a relationship. Neither are looking for a relationship when they find each other. From the beginning they understand that when her internship ends, she will be returning home to San Francisco if she's unable to find a job at a newspaper. They agree to not get serious, but since this is a romantic comedy, and we expect it, they fall in love. Their still-new relationship gets tested quickly when they agree to a long distance relationship.


There's no real surprises here. The story is predictable. If this were a Lifetime movie, I'd claw my eyes out. Fortunately, this is a raunchy comedy, that showcases some great comedic timing.


Long and Barrymore are perfect, and actually have a lot of chemistry. They aren't what makes this movie so great though. Charlie Day as Dan, Garrett's roommate, and Jason Sudeikas as his best friend Box, bring a lot of laughs. The true star of this movie though, in my opinion, is Christina Applegate, as Erin's manic sister Corrine. She made me laugh out loud almost every time she was on screen. She stole every scene she was in, and should have been nominated for a Golden Globe at least.


If you like romantic comedies like Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin, or the countless movies that have tried to mimic their success, then check out this movie. I loved it.


Rated R, Runtime 102mns

Scott Pilgrim VS. The World (2010)

Michael Cera has built a career out of playing oddball, soft-spoken, lovable guys in films like Superbad, Juno, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. His innocence, and calmness in the face of disaster, make him the go-to-guy for roles like this. Scott Pilgrim isn't a big stretch for him, but I couldn't imagine someone else doing it, and making it work like Cera does.


Based on the graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim VS. The World is unlike any other movie I can think of in recent history. It has action, comedy, romance, and video game style violence, that oddly fits the story. At first I was taken back by the special effects. I didn't understand what I was watching. Was it a movie? A music video? 


Anyway...the movie is basically about a musician name Scott (Cera) who meets a girl named Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and falls for her. The only problem is that he has to defeat her seven exes (The League of Evil Exes) in order for them to date. It's a silly premise, and the movie never takes itself serious, so there's nothing to laugh at that isn't meant to make you laugh.


The cast is great here, highlighted by Kieren Culkin as Scott's gay roommate Wallace. Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, and Jason Schwartzman also appear as some of Ramona's exes


Not that this movie isn't worth watching, but lower your expectations a bit, and you will have fun.


Rated PG13, Runtime 113mns

Sorry! I'm REALLY REALLY behind on my reviews!!!

I'm trying to get caught up! Here's a list of movies that I hope to have reviews for really soon!


Note: This post will change as I add movies to the lists, and complete reviews of movies currently listed.

• The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• Stone
• Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
• Restrepo
• Takers
• The Town
• Dinner For Schmucks
• Inception
• I'm Still Here
• The Kid's Are All Right
• Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
• Black Swan
• Going The Distance
• The Last Exorcism

If you'd like a review of a particular movie, new or old, please let me know! 

Email me at quickmoviereviewblog@gmail.com .

Cyrus (2010)

Without even knowing what this film was about, I was ready to watch it. I'll watch anything with John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, or Jonah Hill. Period.


John (Reilly) is a divorced man, still trying to come to terms with his single status. At the urging of his ex wife Jamie (Catherine Keener) he attends a party she is hosting with her new fiance Tim (Matt Walsh). When John gives in, and attends the party, he meets Molly (Tomei), and instantly feels a connection with her. After a few hook ups, he wants to know more about her, so he follows her home.


In a lame attempt to be nosey, and snoop around her yard, John meets Cyrus (Hill). Cyrus is Molly's adult son, who still lives with her. He seems normal enough, and goes out of his way to make John feel comfortable with the situation. Pretty soon John learns that things aren't always what they seem with Cyrus, and he has to take action in order to save his relationship with Molly.


It's a drama, wrapped in comedy. Reilly and Hill are great together, and there were plenty of laugh out loud moments. Tomei is great, as always, and brings such a sweetness to Molly, it's easy to see why John and Cyrus battle for her attention.


Rated R, Runtime 91mns

All Good Things (2010)

Set in the 70's, All Good Things stars Ryan Gosling as David Marks, the son of a power real estate mogul, who wants nothing to do with the family business. Much to the dismay of his father, Sanford Marks (Frank Langella), David marries medical student Katie McCarthy (Kirsten Dunst), and they leave New York City, to live in Vermont. They even open a country store that sells health foods, called "All Good Things". Things seem perfect between them, until David is pressured to return to the city, and work for his father.


From there, it becomes a downward spiral for David, and Katie. He becomes more controlling, and paranoid, and physically abusive, and a suspect when Katies goes missing in 1982.


At that point the movie shifts from a story of a young couple coping with marriage, and family, to a twisted tale of murder, and betrayal, and a man who seems to be untouchable. It's frustrating to watch at times, because early on, we are shown this innocent side to David that makes us care for him, only to have it ripped away, based on speculation that he killed his wife.


Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie, and I think the acting was Oscar-worthy. I think overall, the script needed some work. Halfway through, it really felt like I was watching a different movie.


For more information about Robert Durst, who inspired the character of David Marks, click here


Rated R, Runtime 101mns

Buried (2010)

Buried is a tense psychological thriller. If you're claustrophobic, like me, you may find that this film will make you pretty nervous. It's a good movie, and holds your interest pretty well, considering it's 90 minutes of Ryan Reynolds trapped in a box.


Reynolds plays Paul Conroy, an American truck driver, in Iraq, who awakens after an ambush to find that he has been buried in a casket, with a cell phone, lighter, flashlight, flask, and little time before he runs out of oxygen. Conroy goes through a massive range of emotions in a short amount of time, and Reynolds does an excellent job of making this character believable.


As he uses the cell phone to contact his employer, the state department, the FBI, and his family, he also speaks with his captor, who demands $5 million dollars for his release. It's an intense race against time to see if he can be rescued before he dies at the hands of his captor, runs out of air, or room, as sand is slowly pouring into the casket.


It's definitely worth watching, especially if you like thrillers, or Ryan Reynolds.


Rated R, Runtime 95mns

Death Race 2 (2010) - [aka - Death Race: Frankenstein Lives]

This straight-to-DVD sequel to 2008's Death Race, starring Jason Statham is actually a prequel. It tells the origin of the champion racer Frankenstein, who died in the beginning of the first film.


Luke Goss (Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Blade II, Tekken) takes the lead here as Carl "Luke" Lucas, a getaway driver for mob boss Markus Kane (Sean Bean). When a bank robbery goes bad, Lucas is sent to Terminal Island Correctional Facility, which is ran by media giant, The Weyland Corporation. In order to bring in revenue, the prison televises "Death Match", hosted by former Miss Universe, and blood-thirtsty, September Jones (Lauren Cohan).


When ratings begin to bottom out, Jones persuades her boss, Weyland (Ving Rhames) to upgrade "Death Match" to "Death Race", and use the existing prison perimeter as the track. To add tot he excitement, Weyland decides that he will grant freedom to the driver who wins 5 races.


This isn't a bad straight-to-DVD title. I've definitely seen worse. It actually has some entertainment value, although not as much as the Jason Statham film. Luke Goss does a adequate job in the lead, and has help from Bean, Rhames, Cohan, and Danny Trejo (as "The Last Mexican Jew" Goldberg). It's a good, mindless, action flick, that plays very much like the original film. 


Check it out, when it hits DVD on January 18.


Rated R

DOUBLE FEATURE REVIEW: Tron (1982) and Tron Legacy (2010)

TRON


I remember watching Tron as a kid, and being confused by the computer themes, and storyline. It was 1982, and computers weren't something found in everyone's home, or workplace. Tron truly was ahead of it's time, and pioneered the use of computer generated imagery. 


The movie focuses on Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), who is trying to hack into his former employer, ENCOM, to find the evidence he needs to prove that Dillinger (David Warner) stole video games he created, and profited from them. With the help of former co-workers Alan (Bruce Boxleitner), and Lora (Cindy Morgan), he is able to get inside the facility, and access the system via a terminal in Lora's lab.


When the Master Control Program (MCP) detects Flynn, it uses a laser system Lora has been developing to digitally transport him into the ENCOM mainframe. Sound crazy? It is.


Once there, Flynn is captured by the MCP's commander, Sark, and force to compete in arena style sports. He meets a program named Tron (also played by Boxleitner) , and the agree to work together to take down the MCP.


Of course, they succeed, and Flynn is returned to normal, along with the evidence he needs. The movie ends with Flynn taking over ENCOM.


It's a fun movie, with great concepts. Having the programs look like their users was a neat idea, and a great way to have the actors play dual roles. Along with Alan/Tron, we see Flynn/Clu, and Lora/Yori, and Dillinger/Sark/MCP. It's unfortunately VERY dated. If you haven't seen it in a long time, you may be disappointed at how bad it has held up. The only saving grace here is the sequel.

Tron

Rated PG, Runtime 96mns

TRON LEGACY


The sequel picks up in 1989, just seven years after the events of Tron. Flynn has been working on what he calls The Grid, and promises to show it to his young son, named Sam. He tells Sam of the programs helping him: Tron, and Clu.


One night, Flynn vanishes, leaving behind his young son, and a large empire.


20 years later, Sam (Garrett Hedlund) is visited by ENCOM executive, and friend Alan (Boxleitner) who tells him he received a page from his father's old arcade that has been closed for 20 years. Sam goes to investigate, and finds his father's secret office behind a video game. When he tries to access a terminal, he is hit with a laser, and sent to The Grid, just like his father many years ago.


There's really not a quick way to explain the plot here, so I'll just leave it to the basics.


Sam meets Clu, who looks like his father, only 20 years younger. Clu rules The Grid, with the help of his enforcer, Tron. He forces Sam to compete in deadly games, just like the events from the first film. Sam is rescued by Quorra (Olivia Wilde) and taken to see his father, who has been trapped inside The Grid for the past 20 years. The rest of the film is basically about Sam trying to stay alive, save his father, and return home.


I have to give credit on the acting. Everyone was great here, especially Michael Sheen as the flamboyant Castor/Zuse. He makes the most of his short time on the screen, and gives the most memorable performance.


While sometimes confusing, Tron Legacy is a fantastic movie to see. Visually, we've never really seen anything quite like it. It one of those rare sequels that improves upon the ideas from the original film so much, that it feels necessary. While the first Tron was noted for being ground-breaking for the computer animation used, Tron Legacy will be remembered for making Jeff Bridges look 20 years younger in order in flashback scenes, and as Clu.


The one thing that bothers me about both movies, is the fact they used Tron in the title. Clearly Flynn was the main focus of both movies. Tron is just a program that helps Flynn in the first film. In the sequel, he has an even smaller role. Regardless, they are great movies to watch back to back, which is how I viewed them, in order to write this review.






Tron Legacy
Rated PG, Runtime 127mns

Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)

This documentary follows the French immigrant Thierry Guetta, as he is introduced to street art (not just graffiti)  in Los Angeles. His obsession with filming everything going on around him, finally finds a focus, as he decides to make a documentary about the underground world of street art. Thierry meets many influential artists, and not only records their methods, but studies them.


Some of the most famous street artists appear in the documentary, including the very secretive Banksy, although his face is never revealed. We see the evolution of Thierry from a vintage clothing store owner to a famous street artist himself, using the name Mr. Brainwash. There have been rumors that the whole documentary itself is a hoax, so what for yourself, and make your own conclusion.


It's a fascinating documentary, that brings attention to a creative, yet illegal form of art. I highly recommend this movie. 


Rated R, Runtime 87mns

Skyline (2010)

I have to admit. I liked this movie. No, it's not a great flick, but it's action-packed, and entertaining. It's seems to rip-off every alien invasion movie that ever been released, which isn't always a bad thing. I saw many things that reminded me of the films War of the Worlds, Independence Day, The Matrix, and Cloverfield. While it lacks points for originality, it does gain points for special effects. There were exceptional for a $10 million dollar film, with no bankable stars.

This biggest issue was the plot, which ultimately didn't matter. Jarrod (Eric Balfour) and his girlfriend Elaine (Scottie Thompson) fly to Los Angeles for Jarrod's best friend Terry's (Donald Faison) birthday party. That's really about it. There's talk of Jarrod moving there, and joining Terry's company (whatever it is), but nothing ever gets elaborated upon. Why? Well, after a night of partying they are awakened by strange lights in the sky. When you look at the light, it takes control of you, and draws you towards it. We soon learn that Los Angeles is under a full-scale alien invasion. There was no point explaining anymore of the dealings between Jarrod and Terry after that.

Like I said: it's not a great flick. It is fun though, and definitely worth watching with a bowl of popcorn. Make it a game to find all the references to other sci-fi films, and to count the continuity errors. There's several.

Rated PG13, Runtime 100 mns