Reviews

I was looking for a short film to watch tonight (I was short on time) so I browsed Roger Ebert's four star films on Amazon Prime and saw the Spectacular Now with a run time of only 90 minutes. "What the hell," I thought. "It must be at least decent if Ebert loved it - even if it does have Woodley." I proceeded to watch the film (curse Prime for its terrible video quality) and was engrossed during the entire 90 minutes, despite a few minor flaws.

I immediately checked the rating on IMDb and was taken-back by the (moderately) low score of 7.2. I read some of the boards and was shocked at the amount of disgust and dislike. I can wholeheartedly say that after reading some of the opinions of those on these boards, I understand where some of them are coming from. The movie is quite disgusting at times (especially with the excessive drinking, which is my only complaint), but let me explain myself.

I am 17 years old. Yes, my age makes a difference here - not because I'm "incapable" of loving "true" film or because I'm only supposed to like specific movies catered to my particular demographic (ie Transformers, the Avengers) but because I am the age of the characters in this film. I can relate to them in a clearer way than, say, a 40 year old. Now, I'm not trying to say that this film can only be enjoyed by teens - quite the opposite - in fact, I can think of a lot of reasons why teens wouldn't like this movie. It's (as someone before me as said) "painfully real," aside from the, once again, excessive drinking. It can be hard to accept something like this, I think. No, the reason some people love this film and others hate (yes, hate) it is because of personal experience. For me personally, I'm living this right now. For others, maybe they lived it already.

Without needing to be said (I'll say it anyway), I have no experience with life. I shouldn't really have a say in such things. However, I do have similar experiences to that of Sutter, the protagonist of the story. No, I don't mean similar experiences in the way he drinks or has sex. The way he feels, the inner conflicts, the confusion and the sadness and pressure is what I can relate to - as can others.

"Are you happy," Sutter asks his teacher, a full grown man - an adult. The teacher looks at him thoughtfully, taking his words to mind, and ponders the question. What makes a person happy? Are you happy?

The Spectacular Now is a seemingly simple movie about a teen who wants to make his ex-girlfriend jealous and in the process he gets drunk. That's what a lot of people see this movie as, and they're not wrong - that is, essentially, the film. However, I think there are numerous undertones and messages present throughout that suggest stronger themes. Themes like life, being alone, the meaning of happiness, what true emotion is and isn't, facing reality, societal expectations, and most importantly, facing ourselves. Sutter is a complex person. He's got it all figured out - or so it seems that way. He lies to himself and to others, convincing everyone and himself that everything is okay, that he feels fine, that he doesn't care when in fact none of this is true. He isn't okay, he doesn't feel fine, and he does care. As he says at the end (heavily paraphrased), "I was afraid. Afraid of the pressure and the expectations. I didn't want to let myself down so I just hid it all."

This is a powerful statement. Many of us probably don't realize that we may not be happy - truly happy - and just play along with what we think is expected of us. I don't speak for everyone, obviously, but perhaps there are indeed those who feel in a similar way, such as myself. I'm at a point in my life where I'm still figuring things out - in fact I'm just starting. That's really what this movie is about. Acceptance. Happiness. The ability to move on and keep moving forward, to find things worth living for because without them, what is there? Sutter doesn't realize what's important until it's too late, which is unfortunately true for a lot of people in real life.

The thing I really admire about this film is that it doesn't throw all this in our face. If it did, it wouldn't have the same effect because answers in life aren't thrown at us; they're given in code and we don't have the cipher to unlock it. We have to sit and think and reflect, which is exactly what this movie had me do during and after watching it.

I honestly didn't expect this film to work. I feel like the only thing it had going for it was Ebert's four star review (speaking of Ebert, I believe this was the last film he ever reviewed. How fitting...) Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley were both absolutely brilliant in this picture. I will admit, Teller didn't always appear like he was a high school senior but Woodley, my god. Was she acting? Her performance was so natural and real. It was pretty amazing and has completely changed my opinion about her.

Overall I guess you can tell I liked the film. There are some problems but I mean, suspension of disbelief; it's a movie.

Perhaps this film's biggest issue is its pacing and length at two hours and 17 minutes. A film's length must be justified in the content shown but unfortunately this feels more like a director's cut rather than 'theatrical cut." But maybe that's the point, considering it's a Netflix exclusive with minimal theater release.

First off, the film is shot *gorgeously* with a lot of experimenting done with the saturation and hues of the colors. There are also multiple "hidden" long takes that are nearly as impressive as the one in the first season of True Detective, also directed by Fukunuga.

Idris Elba gives a great and subtle performance as usual but the real star here is Abraham Attah doing unbelievable work not just for child actors but actors in general. The amount of pain he's effortlessly able to express with only his eyes is astounding. Overall, the acting throughout the movie from everyone almost makes this feel more like a documentary due to how real everything feels. This is exemplified by the sets and battle sequences that use minimal special effects to create an environment that feels real and tangible.

As for the story it really isn't anything we haven't seen before in film, especially if you've seen City of God. Take note, City of God and Beasts of No Nation may be similar in theme and story, but the tones and style are completely different with each one being unique in its own way (I greatly prefer the deep emotional connection I got from Agu in Beasts over the distracting shaky cam in City).

Overall, Beasts of No Nation is an excellent film that at times can be hard to watch. It isn't overly gory and bloody but its subject theme is highly disturbing and the development of Agu slowing becoming accustomed to war is truly riveting and emotional. The final ten minutes completely relies on Abraham Attah's performance and he makes it some of the best film making of the year.

8.5/10

It is difficult for me to form words after seeing this movie. I'm sitting here at my desk trying to gather my thoughts to string together logical sentences but I have become overwhelmed with emotion.

For now let's talk technicalities. The acting, directing, cinematography and lighting, editing, and soundtrack are gorgeous. The film is aesthetically beautiful to look at and listen to, so much so that it almost hurts.

But the real star is Sam Esmail's (USA's Mr. Robot show-runner) writing. This is where I'm having difficulty expressing my general thoughts. This IS NOT a film for everyone; and that's what makes it so unbelievably special. The characters are beautifully painted and feel fresh and new, which is something I can't say often. The screenplay is so incredibly touching that it often felt like a transcending experience; something more than just a film.

If you are a fan of deeply challenging films (i.e. Mr Nobody) then this is an absolute must see. If your a film student, this is a must see. If you are a lover of cinema in general, this is a must see.

The film is on Netflix and it's only an hour and a half in length making for an extremely easy watch. Please support this film. It's such a rarity that we see such beauty in a film released in 2014.

The entire movie has this certain eeriness and tense foreboding that makes you uncomfortable. The acting all around is pretty good but it's Alicia Vikander who is truly remarkable as Ava, the AI robot. First time director Alex Garland makes it look effortless and his script is just as good. This is hard science-fiction and it really makes you think. It doesn't delve into familiar territory like you'd expect but instead takes you down an unfamiliar path that keeps you guessing.

The only downfall of the film, in my opinion, is the ending which feels unsatisfying. There's probably a lot who disagree with me and it was by no means bad it was just, by comparison to everything that came before it, underwhelming.

The film also features some great cinematography and set design, contrasting the sleek, modern, and high tech house with the green and calm of nature. It's very well done.

Let me but this as bluntly as I can: This is the best action film ever made in the history of cinema.

Forget that the action is all done with mind-blowing practical effects (my friend couldn't believe me when I told him that after the film was over) but the actual storytelling was excellent! The story was pretty thin but it's the way that it was told that made it so amazing. Even the characters themselves have a lot of subtle and great development that bring a human touch to a world so full of insanity.

But the action scenes. One review put it perfectly: "The first car chase in MM: FR is the best in movie history but the worst one of the film." That pretty much sums up the rest of the movie.

Oh yeah, and the opening shot to the film is the best opening shot to a movie this year, without question. It isn't grandiose like the Avenger's opening tracking shot but it's so gorgeous too look at I wanted to pause it in the theater just to admire it.

9.0/10 Action movies are slowly making a come back...first John Wick, then Kingsman, and now this. Please keep it up Hollywood! No more CGI feasts like F7!

I saw this Thursday night before May 1st in a jam packed IMAX theater with some of my friends and it was honestly one of the best movie theater going experiences I've ever had! That being said, the film itself has essentially the same overall plot as the first film but what we got was pretty cool. The action was very, very well done and the cinematography is up there with The Dark Knight films and Man of Steel (those having the best film work out of the superhero films, imo). The script was amazing and the dialogue was perfect, encompassing who these characters are at heart.

Where this film faults is its very thin narrative and pacing. The nearly two and a half hour film flies by without notice and there is literally never a boring moment BUT there are many subplots that aren't fully developed (which will more than likely be solved in the bluray extended release).

Overall, while extremely enjoyable, the film suffers from the same exact problems the first film had. You know exactly how it will end and the narrative really just isn't that interesting.

That opening tracking shot though...the ticket is worth the price just for that scene alone! 7.5/10

(This review is after playing the first episode, I don't know how the rest will play out) I don't play many games, mostly because I'm only interested in the ones that tell genuine stories (if not they better be fun as hell). I was browsing the PSN store (I played this on PS4) and came across the demo for the first episode. I tried it. Loved it. Bought the season pass. Played the rest of the episode and loved it. The fact that the entire season only costs $20 is amazing to me! It's definitely worth it! The game is beautiful. The art direction and graphics are very unique and the cinematography during cut scenes is downright gorgeous. The music is gentle and soothing, giving a sense of calmness to the story. The story itself is very engaging as are the characters you meet. Everything in the game has a purpose. Speaking to another student around the school campus, what you say to them, and what you do can affect what happens to you. The dialogue is fine, although it's a little clunky at times but most of the time it's realistic and it sounds like people just talking to each other. The voice actors do a great job with what was given to them and bring humanity to their characters. As for pacing, that's up to you. It can be a pretty fast paced game if you don't slow down and actually engage in the story, which is what makes it so great in the first place.

For those looking for a lot of gameplay, turn back because this isn't for you. This plays out similar to Telltale's The Walking Dead series. Choices and actions affect the story and you basically just walk (yes, walk, not run) around talking and exploring. The levels are beautifully crafted so it doesn't really get boring.

The central story is very heartfelt and feels like it was written for a movie rather than a game, which should be taken as a compliment to the writers. A lot (not all) of games don't put a lot of focus on the story and rather on the gameplay but that isn't the case here. The story guides the player through the levels and it doesn't get boring or uninteresting. As I said earlier, the characters have this sense of humanity in them and makes it easy for the player to emotionally connect with them. It's great to see such human characters in a game where they aren't running around with a gun killing people...or things.

Overall, I have to say I'm impressed and have already recommended this to multiple friends; it's clear that a lot of care went into making this game. The first episode lasted me about two and a half hours and for $5 an episode I'd say that's pretty good! I look forward to the next installment in March!

This movie was, surprisingly, actually pretty good. First off, the cinematography is beautiful and creates a wonderful environment full of vibrant images and gorgeous gliding shots. The acting is good, nothing particularly special. What really makes this movie standout though is its originality. I must say I had no clue how the movie would end. I couldn't even guess. That doesn't necessarily make the movie good but it sure made a difference here.

Overall the movie was fun to watch. It's both funny and enjoyable while sometimes creepy or having a lot of "what the heck" moments. The CGI was also excellently implemented and half the time I couldn't tell if it was actually CGI or not, which is a very good thing. I'd recommend this movie to a friend, assuming they had the stomach for some blood.

This film blew me away; as soon as it would start to slow down it'd slam me back up against the wall and my eyes would be glued to the screen. This is pure cinema. This is art. It's essentially flawless. The script and direction are so incredibly well done it made my head spin. Every scene has raw power behind it. Right from the start there is this immediate sense of tension. You're legs won't stop bouncing and you're not entirely sure why. This is a testament to the immaculate talent on display in front and behind the camera. Miles Teller and JK Simmons absolutely destroy their competition. They dedicated themselves to every scene, every line of incredibly written dialogue and the pay off is spectacular.

If I were to criticize one thing, just for the sake of nitpicking, I would say the overall story is slightly shallow (you basically know how the movie will end, what matters is the journey). The film is far from predictable and keeps you at the edge of your seat (quite literally) but some may be underwhelmed by the ending.

Oh, and the editing was fantastic; some of the best this year right up there with Birdman and the Raid 2.

I don't remember a time when a movie was able to "blow my mind" in the way Predestination has. In fact, I don't think I've ever been this dumbfounded from any narrative in any form of storytelling. The plot is so incredibly unconventional in almost every way and kept me riveted the entire time, my eyes were glued to the screen from start to finish.

The acting is very good all around with Ethan Hawke delivering yet another great performance but the real star is Sarah Snook who gives such a varied and rounded performance it could've been Oscar worthy (oh well). The direction is extremely tight as is the screenplay. The score and cinematography shine as well and enhance every shot.

I can't say enough about Predestination. I think this one will remain my best movie of 2015 for quite a while.

Nightcrawler is a very well made movie. The acting was top notch; Gyllenhaal gave an extremely subtle and very creepy performance. Dan Gilroy's directing shines throughout the dark visual aesthetics of the excellent cinematography. The movie does a lot of things right but where it ultimately fails is in its storytelling.

The movie is, at many instances, truly very tense and creepy, sometimes both at once. But in the end, the movie doesn't truly give the audience anything to care about. The plot is interesting enough and I appreciate that it's trying to do something a little different but with out giving it's viewers any real substance, there's not too much more to say...

Jake Gyllenhaal's performance was seriously fantastic, though. He felt like such a real creep it was almost disturbing.

I decided to finally watch this movie after seeing Chris Stuckman's review on YouTube and I have to say, I'm a little speechless. This isn't a movie to just slop a label on; it deserves more than that. The only word that comes to mind is "beautiful" because, really, it was just that.

That being said, there were a few clichés, etc., but they, (very) surprisingly, didn't stop me from really getting into the story and characters. The acting certainly helped. Ryan Gosling was absolutely fantastic and brought more to the role than I felt was actually written. You could really see how tortured and full of pain he was. The rest of the acting was fantastic as well; all the actors brought this natural feel and intensity of emotion that just made it all feel so real.

This is a hard movie for me to rate with a single number because, in my opinion, it had a fair amount of things that just didn't work. But when it did work, oh boy did they work. The move is laser focused on the people in it's story and it's told fabulously.

Also, splitting the movie into three distinct acts worked wonders. I was not expecting that at all (I hadn't even seen the trailers). It created this richness with the characters that you can't really appreciate until you've seen the final act.

Overall, I'm extremely happy to have seen this movie. It isn't a movie for everyone by any means but I think that was kind of the point. Those are usually the movies that resonate with me the most.

Birdman, to put it simply, was exhausting to watch. I don't mean this in a negative way - in fact, it's a compliment. There really aren't words potent enough to describe how masterful the directing, cinematography, and editing are. Birdman is a masterclass of technical marvels - marvels that aren't in your face screaming, "Look at how amazing this movie is!". Birdman is a film of subtlety; its message and themes may be hard to grasp but once you grab hold, it's nothing short of an extraordinary ride.

Emmanuel Lubezki. This man is a god of modern day cinematography. Lubezki has outdone himself again after his (stunning) work on last year's "Gravity" (which won him an Oscar as well as dozens of other awards) and 2006's fantastically shot "Children of Men". Throughout the entire main story of Birdman, the camera. Never. Cuts. Or so it appears that way, thanks to ingenious strokes of editing mastery. Films have attempted long shots in the past, one of the most famous being the tracking shot from Scorsese's "Goodfellas". Imagine a shot done just as well, if not better, and with so many intricacies but throughout the entire film. It's jaw-dropping. It makes everything seem so real and focused, and, as a result of this, exhausting to watch. It thrusts the audience into the picture; we are living and breathing in the movie along with the characters. This is a fare feat in film making. It's been done, sure, but not in this way. Not in a way so clever and genius yet simple and subtle.

Alejandro González Iñárritu brings more complexity but seemingly simplistic talent to Birdman with his excellent direction. He knows exactly what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and when it needs to be done. It's brilliant and thoroughly entertaining.

Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone all give the best performances of their careers, which is especially notable for Norton given his past works. It never feels like they're are acting; they feel like real people. The performances are, once again, subtle and incredibly natural giving everything a more genuine feel. The rest of the cast is great as well but don't standout as much.

Birdman is a simple movie, or it appears that way. Underneath it's a complex beast full of ideology and philosophy about life, the people we spend life with, and, most importantly, who we ourselves are. It also spends a fair amount of time analyzing what the film industry has become as well as what impact critics have on both artists and audiences. It's a fascinating study of modern society.

If someone were to ask me what Birdman was about I'd tell them it's really just a simple metaphor of life itself. Its beautiful, sad, funny, and enormously rewarding. I couldn't recommend this movie enough. If you're looking for that sense of wonder you haven't felt in cinemas in quite some time, look no further; Birdman came to save you!

This is without any doubt the best action movie I have ever seen. Absolutely incredible. Everything from the acting to the directing and the cinematography to the action scenes is masterful. This movie bleeds adrenaline. Every shot is pure immersion. The choreography is leagues better than the previous gold standard. There is no comparison whatsoever.

It truly is a shame more people won't see this because of the subtitles. The story was engaging, characters interesting, action scenes were *unbelievable*, and (again) cinematography and direction were mind blowing. I can't say enough about this movie other than that it is an absolute must see and one of the best of 2014.

The best scenes in this movie are those that contain both Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield. Their on screen chemistry is just so perfect that it almost, just almost, covers up the terrible dialogue and directing. Ultimately, TASM2 collapses in on itself while trying to juggle too many story lines and villains all at once. Speaking of villains, they're all terrible with clichéd stories and have no logical motivation or sense.

Oh well, the CGI ranged from amazing to downright terrible. Overall, turn your brain off and it'll be quite enjoyable as some the action sequences are actually pretty well done.

Truly horrifying and disturbing yet so riveting and suspenseful that you can't help but keep your eyes glued to the screen. David Fincher directs with such care and accuracy and keeps his actors focused and attentive that every detail is obsessed over and nears perfection. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike both turn in excellent performances that are both intense yet natural at the same time giving their characters subtle and conflicting inner emotions that aren't always clearly shown. Considering the very lengthy runtime of 149 minutes the movie rarely gets boring. Gilliam Flynn's (also the author of the book) script is filled with rich character development and is full of references of the human condition and a person's capacity for violence.

Overall, Gone Girl is an extremely well made movie but only lacks in the actual story and the ending which can (understandably) leave many feeling unsatisfied.

From a technical standpoint, this movie is a masterpiece. The acting (Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Bernthal) directing (David Ayer), soundtrack (Gravity's Steven Price), sound design, editing, cinematography, and visual and special effects are all some of best you'll see and hear all year. Where this movie falls short is in its pacing, storytelling, and characters. This is a war movie, and with that comes the same clichés and characters we've seen in all of them. That isn't to say the story is bad, it's just more of the same. The pacing however, especially in the second act, is mixed.

Overall, it's worth seeing. Maybe not in theaters (especially if you have a home theater at home for the incredible sound design) but it is entertaining enough and it gives you it's fare share of the brutalities of war.

Oh boy...where to start... Save $10 and 2 hour and 40 minutes of your time. The soundtrack was good and the cinematography was cool but this is one of the most poorly made movies I've ever seen. I was dumbfounded at how boring it was. I nearly fell asleep in the theater. The run time was absolutely atrocious. At nearly three hours it felt more like four. There was at least three different times I thought I had seen the climax only to discover the movie wasn't even near being over.

I came to this movie expecting some cool CGI and action scenes. Instead I got boring characters talking about "important stuff" and terrible CGI robots fighting each other. The animation is seriously pathetic in this movie. Transformers 1 looked better than this. But, bad CGI and acting aside, the plot holes and dullness in the story was pathetic and make this movie and utter waste of time.

Brian Singer has truly outdone himself with this one. Not only is the action dazzling, the soundtrack exciting and emotional (the old X2 theme returns!), the special effects top notch, the cinematography great, the direction amazing, and the acting phenomenal, but the story and the character development is what really sets this movie apart. You genuinely care about these people and what happens. As far as comic book movies go, it doesn't get any better than this. Not since the Dark Knight Trilogy has there been such an emphasis on story and character rather than the VFX and action. My already high expectations were easily surpassed. Fans of both First Class and the originals will love this one. It's the perfect reboot/sequel and as an X-Men fan I couldn't be happier!

Jack Gyllenhaal (once again) turns in a riveting performance and Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners) paints a picture that spins and turns seemingly endlessly. This is art; symbolism and "subtle-ness" are off the charts. This is fantastic film making. It demands deep and intense thinking; it's not a movie for everyone. You'll leave the movie with either one of two things spinning around your head: "What the **** just happened?" or you'll be reevaluating what you think of yourself.

Films just aren't made like this. This is creative and ingenious film making at its finest! Huge applause to the entire cast and crew for delivering one of the best motion pictures of 2014.

As I walked out of the Cinemark IMAX theater my brain was still attempting to piece together strings of words but it seemed I had forgotten how to do this. I felt sick inside yet, at the same time, overwhelmed with emotion. I was speechless. I felt like I had just witnessed the most complete and satisfying movie I had ever seen in my life.

Interstellar is something I have never seen before; this is a once in a lifetime movie. I had been waiting for this movie ever since it was announced Christopher Nolan was attached to direct and co-write it. The nearly three year wait was more than worth it. Christopher Nolan has done the impossible, again. Not only has he once more outdone himself but he has changed the blockbuster, arguably, for the third time after doing so with the Dark Knight and Inception.

I wouldn't go as far as to say this movie is indeed a blockbuster because it's really so much more than that, as one would expect from Christopher Nolan. Sure, there is a fair amount of action, and when it's present on screen it is indeed incredible and furiously exciting. The special effects are literally breathtaking. Last year I hailed Gravity to no end for it's astounding CGI but Interstellar has brought it to the next level. Every single CGI shot looks 100% real. It was jaw dropping. This is by far the most glorious visually awe-inspiring film I've (once again) seen.

As for the rest of the technical parts of the movie, all are currently unmatched in 2014. Replacing Wally Pfister as cinematographer is Hoyte Van Hoytema, whose previous works include Her and the Fighter, both of which were beautifully filmed movies. Hoytema works with such confidence behind the camera that I felt completely immersed in the movie. Every shot was gorgeous, which is something I can't say for many movies. I really can't stress how well Hoytema was able to capture the immense vastness of space and the infinitesimal size of the earth and humans. There are also many shots reminiscent of 2001 (it never feels copied, though) and inspiration shines through them.

The sound design and are top notch. The IMAX theaters really emphasize how epic in scope this movie is. It is ear shattering, chest rumbling, and incredibly loud. The detail is astounding. If there is only one movie you will ever see in IMAX, make it this one. Interstellar was made to be seen this way. The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful and terrifying all at once, which is how I would also describe space itself. Zimmer has created a completely original and unconventional soundtrack that simply brings the movie to near perfection. It's one of his most unique and haunting scores yet.

There have been talks about Matthew McConaughey's performance not being up to par, and, well, I honestly couldn't disagree more. Is it Oscar worthy? Perhaps a nomination at least, but really it doesn't matter. He was dazzling. Anne Hathaway also gives the best performance of her career and this is another example of how her talent has just recently been truly discovered. Mackenzie Foy, McConaughey's in-movie daughter, was excellent as well. Child actors starring in adult movies doesn't often work but here it does. She was just as good, if not better, than both McConaughey and Hathaway. The rest of the cast, including Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain, Wes Bentley, and Casey Affleck, are great as well, even if not terribly important.

The thing that is really splitting audiences and critics alike is the screenplay and writing. As usual with Nolan's films, the screenplay ranges from very good to, lets just say decent. There's a rare few lines of dialogue that are sometimes just awkward but for the most part it stays realistic and natural. The exposition, much like Inception, is great (as in there's a lot of it). However, unlike Inception, characters aren't constantly explaining the plot but instead the science, which I will admit is at times overwhelming. The film deals with huge scientific theories and ideas that are beyond the average viewer. The film does its best to keep everyone on the same page, though, which in itself is an impressive achievement. Overall, I'm pleased with the screenplay but it doesn't match the magic of some of Nolan's older work like Memento, the Prestige, or the Dark Knight.

As far as the story is concerned, it reaches true "hardcore" science fiction, much like 2001 did. The final thirty minutes or so had me absolutely floored and blown away. Most of the movie stays within the realms of factual science, thanks to genius physicist and black hole junkie Kip Thorne, who is credited as executive producer and was a major factor in creating realist visions of the wormholes and black holes as well as solving equations to determine certain plot points. The ending, however, is purely theoretical and Christopher Nolan's imagination. The results are dumbfounding. I haven't been this shocked in science fiction since 2001.

However, since the ending is subjective and completely unconventional there will be a difference of opinions which is most likely what Nolan was going for. Unlike 2001 where a lot was left up to the viewer's interpretation, I believe there is a true and definitive answer to everything that happens in Interstellar. In a way, the movie does a great job of giving you just enough information to make it enjoyable instead of frustrating and confusing. Some people prefer to have the answers handed to them but others, like myself, prefer to interpret it our own ways and within our understanding. Interstellar does a little of both, which I thought was appropriate given the situation.

Interstellar is Nolan's most ambitious and epic film yet and is going to stay with me for days. It leaves you with just enough thought provoking material that it leaves you completely satisfied and fulfilled.

SPOILER FREE

I don't even know where to begin. Everything was down to perfection. After suffering two mediocre episodes a few weeks ago The Legend of Korra has bounced back in a way not many other shows have done, especially a cartoon.

Let me start with the animation. Studio Mir has proved time and time and time again that they are the best in the animation business. But here, in this episode, they've really taken it to the next level, again. TLOK has always had extremely well done animation with rich textures, colors, and lighting but this was something else entirely. The fight choreography was simply stunning and the cinematography was utterly breathtaking. The fight and combat sequences in these last two episodes are hands down the best in the entire series (yes, including Avatar: The Last Airbender).

And let's not forget about Jeremy Zuckerman's epic and emotional musical score which, this season in particular, has continued to impress enormously, adding so much depth and raw emotion to the characters and the action sequences.

Something TLOK has struggled with since it's conception was having it's own identity. A lot of the times it felt like the show's writers were trying to set it apart from ATLA but ultimately it fell mostly due to harsh criticisms from fans. Season three has solidified TLOK as the most impressive, focused, exciting, emotional, and interesting season in, once again, the entire series.

Now, of course, this all my opinion and my own thoughts but I truly don't think ATLA holds up to this season of Korra. The character arcs and developments were so incredibly well done all around and the story wasn't only the most interesting and thought provoking yet, but the villains were outstanding and expertly written.

Other than a few lackluster episodes (which really weren't bad; it's only when you compare them to the high standard of season three do they fall) I have nothing negative to say about the third season of Korra. It feels weird to say this about a cartoon but I can honestly say with confidence that this is the best season of TV I've seen in 2014.

The ending will (guaranteed) leave you speechless. Your emotions will have been tampered with and your jaw will be left hanging open on multiple occasions. TLOK reaches out into incredibly dark territory this season and it's a wonder how in remains with a Y7 rating. This isn't a "kids only" show and it never was.

Congratulations to The Legend of Korra team for creating one of the best seasons of television I've ever seen.

Season 4!! Please come quick!!

There has never been a movie quite like this in history. I can only imagine the process it took to create this "12 Year Epic." There were so many variables, all of which could've gone completely wrong. Director Richard Linklater delivers us his best movie yet in such a way that's never been done before.

I am sixteen years old. After a month of waiting for the local theater to have a show time, my friend and I went in a heartbeat. We were the youngest people in the theater and most of the other audience members were older. But don't be fooled; despite the R rating, this is a movie that was made for everyone, of any age. You watch these people grow up and change, literally; there is no make-up involved. There is always someone on screen who you can identify yourself with. For me, it was Mason (Ellar Coltrane). Watching him grow up reminded me of myself; it was like a mirror. The same could be said for the parents of Mason (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke). They change and grow as characters and as people. Only real life parents with children could fully understand the emotions and feelings they go through. There is something different about keeping in touch with the same people for twelve years that separates this movie from others. For example, Goodfellas (another excellent movie) told an amazing story spanning decades but the actors didn't age with their characters; it was just make-up. It didn't feel real and it constantly brought you out of the movie.

Having such incredible actors grow and change with their characters made the world of difference. Everything was real. The way society changed throughout the years in this post 9-11 world was incredibly interesting. Real life events were captured on camera and were presented like they had just happened. Seeing the mother read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to her children at a young age and then seeing those same children a few years older at the opening of the sixth book was something magical and something that could only be created in the way that it was. Something even as small as seeing Mason play his Gameboy as a kid but then ten years later he pulls out his iPhone like a normal everyday kid would do was pleasurable. It's this kind of authenticity that brought a greater emotional punch to Boyhood.

By the end of the movie you will have a real personal connection with the characters. You don't want to let them go but you have to. They move on, just like us. The film challenges you emotionally and spiritually; it made me reflect on my own life in ways that very few others have. It might've even changed me.

Overall, this is an absolute must watch film. I would probably place it in my top ten of all time and top two of the year so far (2014 has been very kind to us). The only reason I kept from giving it a perfect "10" was because there was a bit of story material in the first hour of the film that felt a little cliché but eventually worked out magnificently. Perhaps on a second viewing I wouldn't be so harsh and change my score but for now it is what it is.

Don't miss out on this one. It's where cinema and art meet and create something that is only possible on film. It pleases me that films like this are still being made. This is what cinema is all about: losing yourself in a different world and forgetting the rest. This is truly something remarkable and rare, I can't enforce this enough. Listen to the reviews and the hype; it deserves all of it.

FYI: I watched the original, NC-17 version.

There's no doubt this movie has been reviewed by thousands of other people here on IMDb so it seems rather pointless to add another but I still feel inclined to share my thoughts and feelings of this fantastic movie.

I didn't know what to expect going in. I hardly had a clue what it really was about other than that it involved drugs and, one of my favorite actors, Jared Leto. While it is quite possibly the hardest movie I've watched, it is also one of the best directed, acted, and edited.

The first half of the movie is more interesting than anything else. The characters and their motivations are unfolded slowly and the quick and clean editing and cinematography keeps the audience completely engaged. There are some really neat camera tricks that are actually quite creative and bring the character's perspectives closer to you.

The second half of the movie is where things start to unravel more quickly and violently. Characters become more desperate and are willing to go to any lengths to get what they want, and, in effect, the on screen images slowly become more disturbing and gut-wrenching to watch. There were multiple times when I was unknowingly squirming in my chair in disgust at the horrors on screen.

The real reasons these images are so intensely horrifying are because of the motivations the characters have. It all comes down to the basic idea of what is happening. The thematic elements are just as frightening as the visual elements. Maybe not everyone will be affected in such an intense way; it depends on how much you can stomach.

But maybe perhaps the reason both the thematic and the visual elements worked so blissfully together was because of the incredible acting from the entire cast. Ellen Burstyn delivers a phenomenal performance as the challenged mother of Harry (Leto) and depicts insanity that is so believable you forget she's acting. She totally deserved her Oscar nomination. Jared Leto was his usual self, putting everything he had into the performance and pouring emotion onto the screen everywhere. Jennifer Connelly also gives an excellent performance as Harry's psychologically tortured love interest. Again, it was very easy to forget that you were watching actors and actresses act and think you're actually seeing these deeply troubled people through the eyes of a camera.

Then, of course, there's the soundtrack. Oh, boy...has it become popular fourteen years later. It's an odd soundtrack for this type of movie. It's more "epic" sounding and inspiring if heard by itself but when it's put into the movie it becomes something else entirely. it's eerie, it's scary, and most of all, it adds to the intensity of what's happening on screen in a strange but subtle way. Clint Mansell did an excellent job making this possible.

I really never thought a movie about drugs could possibly be so fascinating and interesting. Darren Aronofsky directs in such a way that everything is personal between the characters and the audience. You care for these people; you feel like you know them. You want them to overcome their troubles. The camera merely serves as a window into their world. You feel a part of it all.

Would I recommend this movie? Well, it would depend on the person. There haven't been many movies that have moved me in a way this one did. It wasn't the typical emotional experience but rather a truly gut-wrenching one. There is no hope, no savior, no happiness. By the time the credits roll you should feel dead inside. This is one of those movies that everyone should watch at some point during their lives, preferably when they're younger. But for that very reason, it doesn't make it a film for everyone.

I came into the pilot episode of Manhattan expecting the usual deal of bad production budgets, lackluster acting, and an overall cheap feel. Instead, I got a beautifully shot, smartly written, excellently acted, and a very "high quality" feel to everything.

Dare I say it, but I get slight Breaking Bad vibes from the cinematography and just the overall feel of everything. For example, the use of the music at the end of the pilot episode and the opening segment of the second episode that seemed random and unrelated to the main plot at hand. That isn't to say it feels ripped off, because it's not. It actually feels fresh and exciting to watch. Compared to most other shows this summer (example, The Last Ship) this is superior in every way conceivable, unless of course you're looking for the good guys blowing up the bad guys.

The second episode was just as impressive as the first. In fact, I actually watched it twice due to there being nothing else on TV. I never do that with anything.

I sincerely hope WGN picks this up for another season. The fact that there are still under 500 votes on IMDb as of the second episode leave me a little worried about how the ratings fare.

I guess the only thing the show could be doing better is having a better title sequence (think LOST, 24, Breaking Bad, etc. Just something simple but satisfying)!