Brian's Review - The Illusionist (2010)

A magic show you won't want to end.

Released: 2010
Genre(s): Animation, Drama, Comedy

With the exception of Disney/Pixar films, animation movies these days tend to pander to children and those looking for a quick, juvenile comedy fix. While "The Illusionist" is undoubtedly funny at times, this is far from a kids' movie: there are no raucous jokes, or loud chase scenes, or explosions of any sort. Rather, the humor is quietly charming, the action sequences are replaced by gentle, living backgrounds, and overdone dialogue has taken a backseat to simple, human interaction. In fact, not since the first half of "WALL-E" has an animated film managed to speak this much to me without any true spoken dialogue taking place at all. Speaking is instead replaced by incredibly detailed body language and an intoxicating soundtrack - a combination that manages to convey emotion in every footstep and every beat. The animation itself is like watching a gorgeous watercolor painting spring to life, and the characters' movements seem especially lifelike. The subtle beauty of this movie is absolutely heartwarming at times, and heartrending at others - there's a true feeling of bittersweet charm pervading throughout the entire film, and only those willing to deal with the occasional pang of melancholy will truly understand how to appreciate the moments of brilliant joy "The Illusionist" brings to the table. Quaint, quiet, and careful, "The Illusionist" is easily one of the best films I've seen in a long, long time, and I cannot recommend it highly enough to those seeking something a little deeper in their animation viewings.

Rating (out of 5): 5

Brian's Review - Catfish

Authentic or not, this is one film you'll want to catch.

Released: 2010
Genre(s): Documentary

“Catfish” is an incredibly deep documentary (although its authenticity is questioned) that delves into the darkest parts of human neuroses. The sinister undertone of the film creeps to the forefront of the movie quickly, and refuses to give an inch of relief – especially when one remembers that these are very real and very possible scenarios. Strangely intriguing, and surprisingly emotional, “Catfish” explores the essential aspects that make us human: life, love, and friendship, as well as the things that drive us to seek them in desperation. A very introspective experience that reminds us to appreciate those friends and relationships we sometimes take for granted. Whether you believe that this is a true story or not, the emotional roller coaster this movie will send you on is incredibly real.

Rating (out of 5): 5

Brian's Review - Jack Goes Boating

I hope you can swim.

Released: 2010
Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Comedy

At times dry, at other times endearing, "Jack Goes Boating" is an incredibly slow-paced trip through two couples' attempts at bending and breaking within a relationship. While a sprinkling of light-hearted humor can be found among the believably-awkward and human dialogue, this film mostly presents its ideas against an incredibly bleak, somber background. The acting is good - rock solid in fact - but despite the very flawed main character's attempts at finding a "positive vibe," the drab atmosphere makes this movie feel a bit too mundane, despite a last minute attempt at true emotional clarity and explosion during a far from fulfilling ending. Regardless of all of its shortcomings, Philip Seymour Hoffman proves that he's still got it as an actor, and at least knows how to create something brooding and heavy as a director. If you like your movies slow and can patiently wait for a lackluster climax, then "Jack Goes Boating" is worth at least a single viewing.

Rating (out of 5): 2.5

Brian's Review - Mars Needs Moms

Maybe even a few dads.

Released: 2011
Genre(s): Animation, Action, Adventure

If you like your kids' movies heavy on the special effects and light on the storytelling, then "Mars Needs Moms" will be perfect. The animation is beautiful, there are plenty of chuckle-worthy moments, action sequences abound, and it's filled to the brim with feel-good, family morals. The problem isn't with the presentation of this movie - it's with the fact that the story is just so paper-thin and lackluster that it lacks any real sense of urgency or purpose. While other movies in this genre really get you to emotionally invest in what's happening, "Mars Needs Moms" manages to fabricate a story that's passable at best. Still heart-warming enough to warrant at least a watch, especially if you've got little ones who enjoy flashy effects.

Rating (out of 5): 3

Brian's Review - Ong Bak 2: The Beginning

Ong Bak 2: The Face Kicking.

Released: 2008
Genre(s): Action

Despite calling itself a "prequel," in reality, "Ong Bak 2: The Beginning" has absolutely nothing to do with the original. True, Tony Jaa goes around kicking people in the face in a wild, jaw-dropping (and jaw-shattering) manner, but the lack of any coherent or real plot means this views more like a giant showcase of Jaa's talents, as opposed to a story worth investing any real interest in. As a martial artist myself, I do have to commend Jaa for having some serious prowess in a large variety of fighting styles - his proficiency in weapons is especially focused on in this iteration. However, it may be due to the increased production value, or the incomprehensible situations Jaa's character is placed in that makes the action in this entry feel less visceral than in the first film. Don't get me wrong - Jaa still kicks all sorts of ass, but in a manner that doesn't seem as brutally-efficient as in "Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior." Still, the action is unrelenting and fun, playing out in a manner similar to Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master" series, or Jet Li's "Fearless." Martial arts fans should definitely check this one out, although those who enjoy more story than intense fight choreography and stunts probably won't be missing much.

Rating (out of 5): 3

Brian's Review - L.A. Confidential

L.A. Awesome.

Released: 1997
Genre(s): Mystery, Drama, Action

"L.A. Confidential" plays out like an old-school noir, but also manages to harness a timeless feel, through its utilization of cynical wit, brooding characters, and explosive action. The storyline spirals wildly from one conspiracy-laden plot element to another, and the end result is thoroughly enjoyable. The acting is well-done, the characters coming across as believably hard-boiled, but flawed and human enough to make you really grit your teeth and root for them during the various action sequences. This isn't just a great detective movie, and isn't just a great thriller - it's a great film, and should be enjoyed as an immensely well-told story by all.

Rating (out of 5): 4.5

Brian's Review - I Can See You

I can see you...not ever wanting to see this again.

Released: 2008
Genre(s): Thriller, Mystery

Very rarely do I watch a movie and immediately wish I could unsee it. Very rarely do I watch a movie and immediately wish I had a time machine to warp to a time period where said movie does not exist. These thoughts were immediately evoked not only at the conclusion of "I Can See You," but at various points throughout its duration. Bringing a whole new level of artsy nonsense to the world of indie thrillers, "I Can See You" finds the most thoroughly illogical imagery and symbolism available and rolls around in it until completely coated. Calling it a "thriller" at all is a bit misleading as well, as most of this movie attempts to build suspense simply by splicing random images into slow, plodding scenes that serve as nothing more than empty vehicles for said random images. Character development doesn't exist on any level here, so actually caring about what the characters are doing or saying becomes completely unnecessary. Dialogue is wooden, dry, and hollow - the characters' reactions to each other are so stiff and unrealistic that this plays out more like an amateur college film project than anything else. Is it different? Yes. Is it good? Incredibly debatable, but my answer lands on a solid "No." While I'm sure the director/writer had some sort of symbolic, hidden message in this Gulf-oil-spill of a movie, the whole experience feels like it's just trying too damn hard to push itself outside of people's comfort zones - David Lynch this is most certainly not. If you're a big fan of abrasive, atonal music cropping up at random times, then you may be able to find some sort of enjoyment out of this experience. As an added bonus for any idiots who only watch thriller-type movies for potential nudity and gore, there are two shots of a woman's breasts and two instances of mild gore here. Everyone else can avoid this like the blackest of black plagues.

Rating (out of 5): 1

Brian's Review - Punch-Drunk Love

Very heavy on the "punch-drunk" and not so much on the "love."

Released: 2002
Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Calling "Punch-Drunk Love" an "unconventional love story" would be the biggest understatement of the century. The madness that ensues feels like the offspring of a romantic indie film and a David Lynch movie after a drunken and drugged one-night stand. Adam Sandler is surprisingly refreshing in a role that demands more from him than ripping fart jokes every four seconds - despite playing a character that is an emotional recluse and loose-cannon all in one, Sandler handles both ends of the spectrum beautifully. The neuroses of his character grate on the nerves a bit, as they're initially unrelenting, but it's nice to see him evolve over the course of the movie. Unfortunately, any true insight you might try to glean from this film is lost in the convoluted mess of nonsensical storytelling and cinematography. Add in the most abrasive "soundtrack" (and I use the term loosely) I've ever heard, and you've got something very, VERY different. Still fun enough to be worth at least one ride, if you can bear venturing into the realm of the weird.

Rating (out of 5): 3

Brian's Review - The Ceremony (2008)

Attending this ceremony is a must for horror fans.

Released: 2008
Genre(s): Horror, Thriller

Low-budget horror/thrillers seem to multiply like rabbits every year, and much like rabbits, many of them kill themselves by doing stupid things. "The Ceremony" is not one of the stupid ones. With an extremely small cast comprised of unknowns and some bare-bones special effects, this film managed to give me chills that many big budget horror movies haven't even come close to producing. While "The Ceremony" doesn't reinvent the haunted house genre by any stretch, the scares it offers are so emotionally taxing and deeply cerebral that I felt a physical lump form in my throat as I experienced the gripping fear the main character underwent during this film. The psychological and atmospheric horror this movie exudes wreaks mental havoc on a scale that far surpasses what a thousand cheap jump-scares could. Even the film's music - which is used incredibly sparingly - strikes with perfect timing and creeps straight up the spine. An incredibly simple, straightforward experience that serves as an almost perfect formula for genuine horror. A must-watch for fans of the genre.

Rating (out of 5): 4.5

Brian's Review - Waiting for Forever

You can wait to watch this one. For forever.

Released: 2010
Genre(s): Romance, Drama

"Waiting for Forever" is an outrageous romantic movie - not outrageous because it's hilarious or so wonderful that it takes your breath away, but outrageous because of how unbelievably oblivious it is to the real world. Will, the main character, while generally quirky and carefree in nature, actually comes off as more of a creepy, obsessive type with severe mental issues. There are a handful of genuinely endearing moments here, but most of the emotional reactions to Will's erratic behavior come off as completely wooden. The movie's subplots attempt to present some deeper emotional issues behind the characters, but are so paper-thin and contrived that the end results feel rushed and unnatural - any growth by the characters is so minuscule that it's incredibly difficult to even notice (or care about, for that matter). Weak characters, weak storylines, and unrealistic reactions make this one fall flat.

Rating (out of 5): 1.5

Brian's Review - Black Swan

This is one dance you don't want to miss.

Released: 2010
Genre(s): Thriller, Mystery, Drama

“Black Swan” is equal parts disturbing and mesmerizing, a rubber-necker's dream come true – like a car crash or an explosion, it manages to captivate the morbid-curiosity of all within range. A familiar tale (for those who know of ballet's “Swan Lake”), punctuated by a relentless feeling of dread and despair. The menacing overtone of the movie is almost overwhelming at times, like a throbbing headache, or an upset stomach, which kept me at the edge of my seat for the entire duration. Watching this film, I found myself always expecting the worst – scare-factor and gore-wise – a technique Darren Aronofsky utilizes perfectly. Brief moments of relief pepper the frantic and unnerving plot, only to set up the viewer for another startling and twisted shift in tone; it is this push-pull dynamic that makes “Black Swan” so hypnotizing. A haunting musical score, and stellar acting ensemble, led by an amazingly believable Natalie Portman, round out this film brilliantly. Overall, an incredibly unsettling experience, “Black Swan” manages to sink straight into your bones, and is as hard to shake as a bad dream – although I doubt you'll want to (or be able to) sleep through this one.

Rating (out of 5): 5

Brian's Review - Vigilante (1983)

Revenge always looked the coolest in the '80s.

Released: 1983
Genre(s): Crime, Action

As far as '80s action movies go, "Vigilante" is definitely not the worst I've seen. One of a plethora of revenge movies that came out during the era, this one actually doesn't make you scratch your head too much - the characters are fun, realistic, and although they're a little bloodthirsty, they all possess at least a little something resembling logic. Anyone who enjoys a good chase scene to a pulsing synth track, followed by a brutal, extreme justice-style beat down will get a kick out of "Vigilante," as a majority of the movie follows this formula. Sure, it's not deep, nor clever in any sort of way, but for a quick, wild, dirty '80s romp, you really can't hate on it.

Rating (out of 5): 3.5

Brian's Review - The Baby's Room

Not actually about babies.

Released: 2006
Genre(s): Horror, Thriller, Mystery

From the Spanish collection "6 Films to Keep You Awake" (think the Spanish version of "After Dark Horrorfest's 8 Films to Die For" series of movies), "The Baby's Room" focuses more on genuine, spine-chilling creep factor than big budget effects. This movie proves to be an enjoyable and tense look at a family man's quest to keep his loved ones safe from a sinister force threatening them. The movie keeps you guessing whether the nightmare he faces is all in his head, otherworldly haunts, or something else entirely. While the movie is completely in Spanish, the subtitles take little, if anything, anyway from the sheer terror the protagonist grapples with. A heavy, yet anxious atmosphere keeps this one interesting all the way through the final moments. For those of you who were fans of "Insidious," I highly recommend checking out this one.

Rating (out of 5): 4

Brian's Review - The Woman in Black (2012)

This haunted house only looks the same on the outside.

Released: 2012
Genre(s): Horror

It's true that haunted house movies are a dime a dozen within the horror genre. While a timeless idea, most modern representations are stale, flavorless, and recycled. Ghosts are not a new addition to this formula. Old, dead women wearing black are not either, for that matter. Somehow, despite utilizing these same, overly-familiar elements, "The Woman in Black" pulls off a very refreshing - and incredibly creepy - presentation of all the things that made us sleep with nightlights on as children. Unfortunately, I have never had the pleasure of seeing the original, made-for-TV movie from 1989 that this film is supposedly a remake of. However, it's my most sincere of hopes that it sets up an atmosphere as bleak and hopeless as the 2012 version does right from the start. This gray negativity only gets heavier as the film progresses - there are some genuinely dark and twisted plot developments here that push the film well into the realm of disturbing. While "The Woman in Black" relies a little too heavily on some cheap jump-scares in the beginning, the true genius of this film lies in its continued mounting tension - half the time I found myself so anxious from the anticipation of a potential scare that I ended up psyching myself out. However, as more and more of the story unfolded, the terror became more cerebral, bringing with it the familiar spine-chilling, yet equally exciting, feeling only a really good horror movie generates. The acting is solid by the entire cast; in fact, I completely dismissed Daniel Radcliffe's association with Harry Potter for the duration of the film. Good acting, a story that's not overdone or over-explained (which would otherwise eliminate any fear of the unknown), and some truly nail-biting scares: yes, it may not be completely original, but as far as haunted house titles go, this is one you can't miss.

Rating (out of 5): 4

Brian's Review - Masters of Horror: Incident On and Off a Mountain Road

A decent drive.

Released: 2005
Genre(s): Horror, Thriller

The "Masters of Horror" television series was created for Showtime by a collaboration of the horror/thriller industry's heaviest hitters. Occasionally enjoyable, sometimes frightening, and even good for a quick laugh now and then, the series embodied the quick and dirty style of modern horror/thriller offerings. While technically a television spot, in truth each "episode" was actually an hour long, made-for-TV movie. Because of this, I've decided to review each as an individual film.

"Incident On and Off a Mountain Road" is actually the first episode of the series, and was created by horror legend Don Coscarelli (known for such horror gems as the "Phantasm" series and "Bubba Ho-Tep"). The story is more or less a cookie-cutter survival-horror story about a young woman's attempts at evading and defeating a rather large, disfigured serial killer by the name of Moonface. There's a true sense of frantic anxiety during many of the chase sequences, but unfortunately any real terror is lost due to the frequent flashback sequences interjected between many of the action scenes. When the setting moves to Moonface's murder shack, a very unsettling - and morbidly comical - performance by the great Angus Scrimm increases the creepiness of the film. There's a somewhat unexpected twist thrown into the movie's plot as well that connects everything nicely, but this honestly didn't view as a typical Coscarelli film to me, and lacked the quality that made me love the "Phantasm" movies so much. Still, a great intro to the "Masters of Horror" series, and definitely worth a quick watch if you've got an hour to spare.

Rating (out of 5): 3

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

Where do I even begin...


Want to be a successful film maker?  Here's a formula for you:  Step 1) find a crappy but easily marketable script 2)make sure there's plenty of cheesy dialogue 3) hire terrible actors to be the star 4) pay good actors large sums for minor bit roles 5) ignore everything else and fill the movie with tons of CG special effects; the more explosions the better.  This is the Michael Bay formula. 

The third movie in Michael Bay's adaptation of the retro 80s cartoon follows the exact same formula as the first two.  Besides a few new characters there's nothing new or innovative in the third iteration.

The plot was jumbled and incoherent.  During the first half the action seemed to come in sporadic bursts, the gaps filled by poorly written and even more poorly executed dialogue.

The dialogue is so bad that not even the best actor in Hollywood could have made the lines believable or sincere; there was little hope for Shia LaBeouf.  John Turturro reprises his role as "Agent Simmons".  While Turturro is one of my favorite actors he does little to lift this movie from the dregs of Hollywood's sewers.  John Malkovich makes a surprising cameo as LaBeouf's eccentric boss.  Malkovich plays his role perfectly and provides some much needed comedic spark from an otherwise stale cast.

I feel legitamtely less intelligent after watching this film.  Bay seems to committed to making each film significantly worse than the last.  When (not if) the fourth film is released I fear it may legitimately kill brain cells.  If you really, really enjoy explosions and seizure inducing special effects this may be the film for you.  If you enjoy plot, dialogue and/or good acting you may want to skip this one.

Of course, Michael Bay gets the last laugh as he counts his millions of dollars: *1.5 of 5*

Brian's Review - The Perfume of the Lady in Black

This one smells a little outdated.

Released: 1974
Genre(s): Horror, Thriller, Mystery

"The Perfume of the Lady in Black" (original Italian title: "Il profumo della signora in nero") is a shining example of the typical '70s Italian horror/thriller - cerebral madness, oftentimes bordering on complete nonsense, with a hint of murder/mystery conspiracy thrown in for good measure. While some of these movies are entertainingly wild and undeniably creepy entries into the horror genre (i.e. "Suspiria"), many of them are too sluggish and dry to be enjoyed by those who are seeking "true" terror. "The Perfume of the Lady in Black" falls into the latter category, spending more time being awkward than it does being terrifying. That's not to say that it doesn't have a fair amount of heavy atmosphere - there are some truly disturbing scenes here that create a tension that's almost palpable at times. However, it's during these scenes that the film completely underwhelms. As much as I appreciate keeping some things ambiguous in a horror movie to make them more menacing, the events in this movie are just too random to be frightened by. While an effective dark tone is set early on and maintains throughout the entire film, the lack of real scares makes it hard for me to recommend this to anyone but the most hardcore of '70s Italian horror/thriller fans.

Rating (out of 5): 2

DJ's Review - THE GREY

It's not Taken but it's close...

Liam Neeson pairs up with writer/director Joe Carnahan (Smoking Aces, A-Team, NARC) for a good ol' man vs beast thriller.  Neeson and his lovable band of misfits find themselves stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash.  They must struggle to survive against the elements and a ferocious pack of wolves.

Neeson delivers exactly the kind of performance you would expect, which is by no means a bad thing.  He's not the biggest guy, or the most muscular, but there's just something about that Irish accent and fierce attitude that make you really believe in him as a bad-ass.  The supporting cast is rather mediocre, but that's not a major issue since Neeson's character is the sole focus of the movie.

Carnahan does a good job developing the tension from the beginning and maintaining it all the way through.  Once the action gets going it never really lets up which helps to make a 2 hour long movie seem much shorter.  There are a series of "startling" moments which do tend to annoy after a certain point, but the execution is otherwise well done.  While there's no fantastical elements to the movie, it's not entirely realistic either.  Those of you who obsessively watch Animal Planet may have a hard time suspending your disbelief.

Overall I'd rank this movie up towards the top of the "good, not great" category.  I saw it in theaters and certainly do not regret spending the $9 to see it.  I'll probably even watch it again when it comes out on DVD.  *4 out of 5*

Brian's Review - Bodyguards and Assassins

Take a guess who wins.

Released: 2009
Genre(s): Action, Drama, History

Like many historical Chinese period pieces, "Bodyguards and Assassins" blends a sweeping epic narrative with frantic martial arts action. The main issue with this film is how this balancing act is executed: while there's a great story-driven focus during the first hour or so of the movie, this takes a backseat to massive action sequences and some mediocre plot development during the second half. While the acting itself isn't awful, it's hard for the actors alone to carry a movie that begins to lose momentum so abruptly, in favor of flashy special effects and fight choreography. The characters' personal stories during the final hour of the film tend to start drifting into the melodramatic spectrum as well, making it more difficult to stay emotionally attached to their personal motivations for engaging in the battle. Unfortunately, this causes what should be a powerful, moving ending to feel a bit underwhelming on the silver screen. Despite the movie's billing as an action film, the action itself doesn't feel appropriately visceral enough for this grand of a story; instead, we're given brief tidbits of sensational martial arts, surrounded by montages of overproduced violence (and, sadly, some very amateur blood effects). All in all, not an awful flick, especially if you enjoy Chinese history or action films in general, but in all honesty, it's a film that can wait on the back burner while you catch up on the ones that have more staying power (i.e. "Ip Man").

Rating (out of 5): 3.5

Brian's Review - The Masque of the Red Death

Old school horror for the classic film lover.

Released: 1964
Genre(s): Horror

Like most classic horror movies, "The Masque of the Red Death" views more like a theater production than the movies of the modern day. The great Vincent Price stars as a grandiose and convincingly-evil prince in this classic adaptation of a classic Edgar Allan Poe story. The acting here is great for the era, although those who dislike older films may find it overdone and unrealistic - theater buffs and classic movie lovers will rejoice though. While the "horror" element here may feel a bit tame or mild by today's standards, the plot itself is by no means outdated - everything from the setting to the sound effects creates a spooky tone for what truly is a creepy storyline. Regardless, I'd only recommend this one to those who appreciate old film or Edgar Allan Poe's works.

Rating (out of 5): 3

Brian's Review - Dakota Skye

The truth will warm your heart.

Released: 2008
Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Every now and then it's nice to just sit down and enjoy a heartfelt, honest, indie romance. Full of undeniable charm, quippy dialogue, and feel-good moments, it's hard to hate on the message "Dakota Skye" is trying to send. While it may seem cliche for a film to focus solely on the ideals of love and honesty, there's something inherently human about this one. Some might be turned off by the protagonist Dakota's deadpan, apathetic delivery of lines, or the perpetual atmosphere of teen angst, but the movie feels realistic in almost all respects (minus the main character's super power, of course). The onscreen chemistry between all of the characters is genuinely fun to watch, especially between Dakota and her love interest, Jonah - the interactions between these two drive the film, and eliminate the need for any big-name stars or giant studio budgets. A great pick for a date night, or even to just satiate a romantic film craving.

Rating (out of 5): 4

Brian's Review - Burnt Offerings

Find another offering.

Released: 1976
Genre(s): Horror, Thriller

"Burnt Offerings" follows the commonplace formula of almost all '70s horror movies - a family moves into/visits a haunted house possessed by some unexplained evil force that slowly drives them all to the breaking point. Along the way, a menacing atmosphere is created by dissonant violin squeals, and random flashback sequences depicting something unnerving. The problem with "Burnt Offerings" is that while it manages to successfully create tension in a very unsettling way, it never truly delivers on the scares. Opportunities are missed throughout this entire haunted house romp - the scariest part of this movie was the (incorrect) belief that something startling or frightening was actually going to happen, as I constantly psyched myself out when nothing truly interesting was going on. The concept behind the action is creepy enough, but the action itself is so nonsensical that by the end of the film, nothing has been explained, and thus nothing is particularly memorable or satisfying. If you're an old-school horror movie fanatic, you might get a kick out of this, but there are much better horror offerings from this era for everyone else.

Rating (out of 5): 2

Brian's Review - Horrible Bosses

Horribly underwhelming.

Released: 2011
Genre(s): Comedy, Crime

"Horrible Bosses" is an interesting mix of comedy and social commentary about the working world. The premise is wild and fairly relatable, albeit extreme, but lacks any real comical momentum, as the movie doesn't feel light-hearted enough to counterbalance such a heavy idea as murder. While the jokes fly quick, they don't fly hard enough - in theory, the trio of main characters should be comedic gold, but in reality, the semi-scripted dialogue and ad libbed jabs only occasionally delight, and more often than not flop dryly to the ground. The three bosses seem at least mildly-despicable, with Kevin Spacey as a terrifying corporate lion, Colin Farrell as a balding drug fiend, and Jennifer Aniston in a surprisingly oversexed role, but I wish they had focused more on the employee-employer rapport here to really drive the point home. It's not the best comedy out there about a working man's woes (see: "Office Space"), but it's definitely not the worst either.

Rating (out of 5): 3

Brian's Welcome - Films All the Time

Hey everybody,

I'm Brian, and I love to watch movies. I also love to write. Sometimes I even love to write about watching movies, which is why I started this blog. I barely ever love watching movies that are about writing.

My friend Dan also enjoys watching movies and sharing his opinions on them, so occasionally you'll see him post a review as well.

Sometimes we'll even review the same movie, and oftentimes we'll completely disagree on what's awesome and what's not. Be prepared for some dueling banjos.

Please keep in mind that we're not professional film critics - we're just two guys who watch a lot of movies in our free time and want to share our thoughts. Regardless of whether you agree with us or not, it'd be cool if you read our stuff and shared our page with your friends.

I'm open to feedback directly from you guys as well, so please feel free to leave comments on my posts, or e-mail me directly at blongca04@gmail.com. Let me know if you want me to check out any movies to review, as well, so I can take requests like a DJ.

Thanks for the support, and enjoy!