Blindness (2008)

 

The first half of the film looked very low budget. The scale of what was occurring was massive, but it seemed to be treated as a local epidemic. It didn't make sense. Too much time was spent locked up inside their prison. The real story was outside in the streets! That's the story I wanted to see. 

The idea of nearly everyone in the world losing their eyesight is a fascinating one. The few with vision suddenly become superheroes. This concept eventually came to fruition in the excellent series See.

Rating: C

Redbelt (2008)

 

I wasn't sure what to expect from a David Mamet fight film. Or maybe I did, since there was plenty of drama, emphasis on characters, and everything felt like it could be acted out on a stage. Not sure I bought the ending. 

Rating: C+

Soul (2020)

A little of everything, like jazz. Some Freaky Friday, Heaven Can Wait, and What Dreams May Come blended together with unique animation. Surprised they didn’t tie everything together with his purpose being to inspire others by helping them find their spark, like with 22 and his music students. 

Rating: C+

Predators (2010)

This sequel picks up around present day, but instead of the Predator coming to our planet to hunt, it has imported killer specimens onto a game preserve planet.

A rag tag team of misfits must band together in order to survive. It's action packed and fun to watch. There's even a returning character from the first film. Solid acting from Brody and others elevate this a step higher than most in this series. Certainly worth viewing if you're a fan of the original, even more so if you went out of your way to see Predator 2 and Alien Vs. Predator, like I did.

Rating: C+

Repo Men (2010)

I liked the concept, but the story didn't work. It's all surface material—no real depth. Ultimately I didn't buy the main point of the film; that society would allow a private company to hack people up willy-nilly like unionized serial killers working for the man. And if you can't get past that, then the rest of the movie feels a little pointless.

Rating: D+

Elysium (2013)

Really enjoyed the first half. A lot of creative ideas in this dystopian vision of the future. All special effects and manufactured environments were on point. Excellent camera and sound work. The second half relied more on Hollywood clichés, following a familiar path to a semi-sweet ending.

Rating: C+

City of God (Cidade de Deus) (2002)

Holy crap! I loved this film on so many levels. The way the story is told is pure genius. The acting is excellent. The performances from these kids are unreal. Everything is 100% believable. It feels like you're watching a documentary. One of the best movies I've ever seen.

Make sure to watch the 1 hour documentary on the DVD. At the end they show some live footage of police having a shootout with 10-13 year old boys carrying AK-47s. You may think that the truth is being stretched in the film, but that footage will change your mind. It's really that bad.

Rating: A+

On The Road (2012)

Pretentious and full of annoying characters. It tries way too hard to be hip and cool without succeeding at either. Rambling on without a destination.

Rating: D-

I Am Legend (2007)

A twist on the zombie genre, much in the same vein as 28 Days Later, but less edgy. I'm not the first to say it was cool seeing New York deserted; overrun with plants and wildlife. Rather than another zombie flick, though, I would have preferred a drama about a man, his dog, and how he dealt with being the last man on earth. Maybe it could turn into a love story when he happens upon the last woman on earth. I
realize this was adapted from a book and two previous films, but can't we get something original for a change?

Rating: C