"Win Win" is one of Paul Giamatti's Gems

"Win Win" is a great story of parenthood and life. It has Mike, played by Paul Giamatti, as a father of two struggling to provide for them because he having financial issues. He is a struggling lawyer and he does not know how long his practice is going to last. He is also a coach of wrestling at the local high school. His team is not very good but he still likes the fact that he is coaching and teaching kids his childhood sport. Later he represents a man named Leo, who is played by Burt Young. Leo is an older man with Alzheimer's but he is a lot of money. So, in order to gain some income Mike takes his guardianship. Then things go wrong from there. Leo is then put into a retirement home. Mike then meets Kyle, who is played by Alex Shaffer. Kyle is Leo's grandson, but he has run away from his mother in Ohio and he has come to live with Leo because he has never met him before. So, since Mike is Leo's guardian and Leo is not able to take care of Kyle, Kyle stays with Mike. And his wife Jackie, played by Amy Ryan, does not like this. Kyle is a really nice teenager but he smokes, and has gotten in trouble with the law before. Kyle ends up staying with them for awhile because his mother Cindy, who is played by Melanie Lynskey is a drug addict and does not know when she is able to come to New Jersey where Mike and his family lives. After spending some time with Kyle, Mike realizes he is very good at wrestling. So, he joins the team at the high school. Mike's best friend Terry, who is played by Bobby Cannavale also becomes an assistant coach, along with Stephen, who is played by Jeffrey Tambor. So, things are good for awhile, Kyle is doing great in school, he is doing very well on the team, and Mike and Jackie really think he is a great influence on their little ones. Then, Cindy shows up. When Cindy shows up Mike and Cindy fight over Leo's guardianship, and to see who should take care of Kyle. It is just a great story that has a happy ending to a depressing/inspirational story.

This film is so great mainly because of Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan. They are perfect together on screen. Amy Ryan, is an actress I have never seen in any other film and she is such an underrated actress, and she deserves more recognition of her work. Paul Giamatti is so great at what he does, and this is his gem. Bobby Cannavale and Jeffrey Tambor are great in this film and they are incredibly hilarious in this film. This was Alex Shaffer's first feature film and he was great because we think he is this bad kid that gets into a lot of trouble but he is actually a good kid, he changed my opinion on screen. This film had everything comedy, drama, and it really warms your heart by the end.

Grade = 90/100 = A-

"500 Days of Summer" is an Amazing Love Story

"500 Days of Summer" changed my life. I know it may be a little girly or feminine but it is really ana amazing love story. It starts out with Tom, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, going throughout his day working, and spending time with his friends. He works at a greeting card office, that creates the actual cards. And he is realizing when he is making all of these optimistic, and loving cards when will he find his someone. One day, the office hires a new secretary named Summer, who is played by Zooey Deschanel. Since she is really pretty all of the guys are talking about the new secretary but Tom really likes her. So he "goes for it." They start dating after and Tom really thinks he was found his soulmate. Summer likes him too, but she keeps reminding him that she does not want anything serious. After awhile, they split up and Tom is a wreck. He cannot bear the fact that the person he loves does not love him back. He tries to deal with the pain and he just can't he is depressed and feels awful and one of the worst feelings a human being can feel, heartbreak. After awhile they try to get back together but they just cannot stay together because Summer is just not interested. This story is just so heartfelt, it will make you laugh and cry.

This film is so amazing because of the story it portrays. They keep jumping back and forth with days with Summer and without Summer. It is just so beautifully written and Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were amazing together. They were both very popular but this film is one of their bests. This film is so good regardless it might be a little feminine for males it is so good.

Grade: 89/100 = B+

"Oz the Great and Powerful" is Worth Checking Out

"Oz the Great and Powerful" is the new "talk of the town" in Hollywood because of the comparison of it and the original and the fact that OScar season is now over. Everyone can admit that the original was spectacular. It was a classic film that almost every person has seen. So, obviously it has giant shoes to fill, or giant ruby red slippers.
This film tells the story of the Wizard. Oz, played by James Franco, is a magician but is also a big phony and a cheapskate. He lies about his magic, he lies to girls, and he is not happy with the way things are going. His assistant, Frank, who is played by Zach Braff, is his only friend and tries to deal with Oz's awful attitude. Since they are in Kansas, like the original there is a tornado that starts and he gets taken away by a hot air ballon to the magical land of Oz. When he lands, he meets Theodora, who is played by Mila Kunis. She is a beautiful queen that falls in love with Oz and Oz tells her that they are going to be King and Queen. After Oz meets Theodora sister's Evanora, who is played by Rachel Weisz, she falls in love with him also. So there is a love triangle going on. Later, Evanora tells Oz, in order to be King he has to kill Glinda, another witch in Oz, who is played by Michelle Williams. On the way we meet China Girl, and Finley who are sidekicks of Oz and we realize that the land of Oz is under attack by the Wicked Witches. After meeting Glinda, we find out that the Wicked Witches are actually Evanora and Theodora. So, Oz and the people of Oz try to win back their land.

This film is good mainly because of the effects. I saw this in 3-D and regardless of how expensive it was to see it was worth it. It really looks awesome when you see the land of Oz for the first time. James Franco and Mila Kunis were very well in their roles, and it provided a very different roles for both of them. Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz are always fantastic and looked beautiful in their gowns and the costume design was perfect in this film. This film is a pretty good addition to the Oz series. The original is always going to be the best, but this movie is worth checking out, especially in 3-D.

Grade: 78/100 = C+

"Warrior" is a Great Film About Brotherhood and Family

"Warrior" is a spectacular film. It has Brendan, played by Joel Edgerton, struggling with financial issues with his wife. He is a high school teacher but to gain more income he fights in exhibition kickboxing and mixed martial arts matches and wins. One night one of his students discovers his alter ego at night and encourages him to pursue it. So he starts training again and tries to get into the Sparta tournament, which is a televised tournament with a giant cash prize. His brother Tommy, who is played by Tom Hardy, is a former military man who is extremely fit and is extremely well at fighting. Tommy is trained by their father Paddy, who is played by Nick Nolte. Paddy is destined for a win for one of them and also to reconcile with his sons relationships because he is an alcoholic. It is a very great story about brotherhood and family.

This film is so great because the story is so well directed and written both by Gavin O'Connor. The story will shock you and make you cry as the movie goes along, it is just so beautifully written. I really felt for them when they were trying to reconcile their relationships and try to become a family again with their struggling father. This film is awesome and it might be the perfect "guy" movie with the violence, but it is also a touching film that might make even the toughest men shed a tear. I know I did.

Grade = 88/100= B+

"Rocket Science" will Change your View on Life

"Rocket Science" is one of the best independent films you will ever see. It is about a stuttering boy named Ben, played by Nicholas D'Agosto. He is an outcast who is not happy with his life mainly because he is ostracized about his stutter. He is wanting change for himself so he befriends a great debater on the team at his high school. The friend really thinks he has a shot of bettering himself and actually succeeding at something if he sings when he debates. He is obviously very nervous but he overcomes. He then meets Ginny, played by Anna Kendrick, on the team and they develop a mostly physical relationship. He really becomes a better person through this experience and he does not love his life but he is better. he learns that life is not rocket science and life is easier done than said.

Nicholas D'Agosto is spectacular in this film. I have never heard of him after this film and he really does a dynamite job in this film. Anna Kendrick also does amazing in this film. This was her second feature film and she nailed it. She really played the part of "the girl next door" really well because she was this beautiful girl where Ben tried to be with, but thought he could not be with. This film was beautifully directed and written by Jeffrey Blitz, he really out did himself in this great independent movie. This film is extremely underrated and it is a film that is not very popular but deserves recognition for how fantastic it is.

Grade: 87/100 = B+

"American Beauty" is Beautiful

"American Beauty" is one of the best films you will ever see. It is a film that has Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, struggling with his suburban and American lifestyle. When I say I mean suburban American lifestyle I mean, working 9 to 5 and living in a house with a white picket fence with a family. He hates his job and is not liking his life with his wife, and daughter. His wife, Carolyn, who is played by Annette Benning, is a real estate agent and is actually starting to like her life she created for herself because she is successful. Her daughter is Jane, who is played by Thora Birch. Jane, with her friend Angela Hayes, who is played by Mena Suvari, is trying to find relationships for themselves and want to have excitement in their lives. Lester eventually just stops doing anything that's ordinary and tries to reinvent himself and try to not want to be around his wife. And Carolyn wants the same, but they still live in the same house. All of the characters are trying to find their own beauty and try to fix themselves of the lives they do not like.

This film is amazing, flat out. This film won almost every major Oscar in 2000. Kevin Spacey won Best Actor. The film also won Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Screenplay. This film is great for the cinematography and the soundtrack is amazing. This is probably Kevin Spacey's best film mainly because he was perfect. He was hilarious, and went the extra mile to become the role of Lester. This film is an instant classic. 

Grade: 97/100 = A

"Warm Bodies" is Not Like a Regular Apocalypse Film

"Warm Bodies" is different from a regular apocalypse or a zombie apocalypse film. It actually the point of view of an actual zombie, and it has the zombie develop human traits. "R," who is played by Nicholas Hoult is a zombie that looks like a teenager, but could be much older. He is not exactly like all other zombies because he is trying to better his boring, and everyday lifestyle. One day when trying to eat some humans with his good friend "M," who is played by Rob Corddry, finds a girl who is extremely beautiful and attracts him so much in a way he has not felt since he was alive. The girl is Julie, who is played by Teresa Palmer. Julie is actually the daughter of the person who is running the extinction of the zombies, Grigio, who is played by John Malkovich. After eating Julie's boyfriend, Perry, who is played by Dave Franco, he learns that Perry was in one with Julie by recalling his memories. While the zombies were eating Julie's friends, R saves Julie and takes her back to his home which is an airplane. They develop a friendship, that is suspect because he is a zombie and humans were supposed to kill zombies. R develops feelings for Julie and essentially falls in love with her. This strong attraction helps the other zombies to change as well. The rest of the film devotes the zombies and R trying to become human again with the help of Julie, and her friend Nora, who is played by Analeigh Tipton.

This film is another great Jon Levine flick. Levine is perfect at what he does and he deserves more recognition for his amazing films. I love this film mainly because it is a great story regardless that it is a little predictable. The soundtrack of this film is great it fit perfectly with the storyline. The cast in this film is great. John Malkovich is always fantastic in anything he does. I have not even heard of Nicholas Hoult but he was spectacular in this film because it is not easy to be a zombie he nailed it. And Teresa Palmer is just beautiful and played the part of the girl next door really well. And Rob Corddry and Analeigh Tipton were comic relief and they were hilarious. This film is one pod Levine's greats.

Grade: 83/100 = B

The Coen Brothers are Perfect

The Coen Brothers are one of my favorite directors of all time. "No Country For Old Men" is one of their best films they have ever made. It has Llewelyn Moss played by "Josh Brolin" on the run of a drug deal that went wrong. Essentially, Moss steals two million dollars, and Anton Chigurh played by Javier Bardem is chasing him for the money. It is a great tale of cat and mouse that is very well written and beautifully acted by the amazing cast that also includes Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson, and Kelly MacDonald. Anton is on a chase that is also kind of a rampage where he kills pretty much everything in sight.

This movie is amazing mainly because the talented Javier Bardem and the geniuses of the Coen Brothers. Javier Bardem won an Oscar for his role in this film and completely deserved it because he was perfect. He was so twisted, and dark and came alive on screen. The Coen Brothers are spectacular at what they do and this only one of their gems. They write beautifully and they one of the best in the business.

Grade: 96/100 = A

What if you had a 50/50 chance to live?

Jonathan Levine is a genius and his 2011's "50/50" is one of his best. It has Adam, who is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt living his life with his girlfriend Rachael, who is played by Bryce Dallas Howard and working with his best friend Kyle, played by Seth Rogen. Things go wrong when he goes to doctor for what he thinks is a routine check. It turns out that he has type 4 back cancer, and he is obviously upset and he researched this obscure type of cancer and it says he has a 50/50 chance of living. At first he tries to deal with it by spending time with his girlfriend, going tot the doctor, and spending time with Kyle. Eventually, Adam realizes that his girlfriend is not spending that much time with him. One night on a date, Kyle catches Rachael cheating on Adam with a guy with a long dreaded-beard. That night, Kyle confronts her at Adam's house and that night Adam and Rachael break- up. The rest of the movie is about Adam as a single man. Kyle wants him to go out and explore the single life like he is. Adam is reluctant but tries it. He starts going to a psychiatrist set up through the hospital. The Psychiatrist is a young woman who is even younger than Adam, she is Katherine, who is played by Anna Kendrick. At first, Adam is reluctant mainly because she is very young but he eventually gives in and goes to the meetings. The rest of the movie is him dealing with his illness, and dealing with his nagging parents. His mom, who is played by Angelica Huston, is extremely worried about Adam, and his dad, played by Serge Houde has Alzheimer's and does not know exactly what to think about this whole situation. He eventually finds himself through this terrible situation he is in and tries to become a more open person with this illness because he does not know how much time he has left.

I just love Jonathan Levine so much. He is astonishing at what he does on the screen. He is the reason why I am at Rider University studying Film. He is my favorite directors because of this movie and "The Wackness." This film is so great because of the story is awe-inspiring. Cancer is a very touchy subject, and anyone, regardless of how healthy, could be diagnosed. Levitt and Rogen are amazing together in this film. Rogen is such a great actor he is not afraid to jump genres from comedy to drama. Also, Anna Kendrick was wonderful in this film. This film has such an amazing cast and an amazing story.

Grade: 90/100 = A-

"Garden State" Hits Home

I never liked Scrubs, or Zach Braff until I saw "Garden State." "Garden State" is about Andrew Largeman, who is a Hollywood actor who returns home to New Jersey for his mother's funeral. So, obviously he is a very troubled man. He has not returned home for awhile, and he does not know what to expect. He recognizes his old friends at the funeral and he attends a party with them while still home. He is trying to cope with his mother's death by doing out of the ordinary things. He gets extremely "fucked up" at the party and still has not even cried or felt any remorse for her death, he is trying to figure what is going on. He eventually meets a girl who is not like anything he is used to. She is Sam who is played by Natalie Portman. She is a quirky, young lady who still lives at home, and is still trying to figure things out just like Andrew. They eventually start seeing each other for the time being while Andrew is awaiting his flight back to Los Angeles, CA. They are just perfectly awkward together. They are a great couple even though they have only known each other for a few days. The rest of the film is Andrew trying to figure things out with his life and his budding heads relationship with his father. He really finds himself by the end of this film.

Zach Braff is astonishing in this film because he acted, wrote, and directed this beautifully done movie. He really has the sarcastic humor down in this film, and it's just heart-warming to watch his relationship with Natalie Portman grow in this film. Natalie Portman is such a marvelous actress because watching this film that came out in 2004 and then watching Black Swan is such an experience because they are such different roles and she nailed both. This film is stunning mainly because of how perfect Braff and Portman were in this film. I am sort of biased because I am from the Garden State but it is still a movie anyone should see.

Grade: 87/100 = B+

"Django Unchained" is Tarantino's Next Gem

I was always a fan of Quentin Tarantino and his new film, "Django Unchained" is fantastic. It tells the story of a slave named Django, played by Jamie Foxx, who is bought by Dr. King Schultz, played by Christoph Waltz, who is a bounty hunter. Schultz needs Django to help kill these three brothers because Django was owned by them during his slavery. They go to the plantation where Django thinks they are staying and instead of Schultz killing all of the brothers, Django kills two of them and realizes he might have a knack for seeking his revenge. So, Schultz was going to grant Django his freedom, and with that Django wanted to get his wife back, who he lost through slavery. So, Schultz and Django are partners in crime in killing criminals, and making their way back to Mississippi where Django last saw his wife. They find out that his wife is staying at a slave plantation named Candy Land that is run by Calvin Candie who is played by Leonardo Dicaprio. Then the rest of the film it is Django's struggle to find his lost love.

This film is awesome. It is definitely a quintessential guy movie, with shooting, a lot of cursing, and just a lot of gore. Regardless it might be a little long, the story is very exciting and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole film. Dicaprio and Foxx were obviously fantastic as usual but the real gem in this film was Christoph Waltz. He was hilarious, clever, and he is not afraid to push the envelope on most controversial topics. He deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Also, Tarantino's Directing and Writing, is extraordinary and made this movie so great, and he also makes an appearance in the movie. Tarantino is a genius and this film is one of his gems.

Grade: 87/100 - B+

"Blue Valentine" is Not a Normal Love Story

This movie I am going to talk about is such an amazing love story but does not have a happy ending. "Blue Valentine" is a film about Ryan Gosling and MIchelle Williams roller coaster ride of love. The film has Gosling and Williams in a yo-yo marriage because of how different they act. Gosling is very childish and not wanting to display much emotion and it comes out with his parenting their daughter. Williams is more serious and definitely disciplines their daughter. Their first problem arises when Williams finds their dog lying on the side of the road, dead. They both have different styles of coping with the pain, but essentially they both cry it out and this was just the first of their problems. The film has many flashbacks of when they first met. Gosling was working as a mover and the one of the first few days he moves an old man into a nursing home and who does he at the home, Michelle Williams. He woos her over and they start dating but she has a boyfriend at the time. The rest of the story tells their up-and-down relationship but it is not a happy ending,  it is just a great love story, because it is not a normal lovey-dubbey love story where they run away and get married and go to Paris and live happily ever after.

Gosling and Williams are beautiful together and they deserve recognition. This film is amazing because of how shocking, and how much you want to see what happens next. This film has a lot of dialogue and the characters stay at one area for a good amount of time. The shot selection of this film are different, because there a lot of close-ups and it really shows emotion because of how much we see their faces and how they feel. It is very depressing but it is just so good, and you are rooting for them during the whole film because of how much in love they were when they were younger. Please watch and spread the word!

Grade: 86/100 - B

A Great Tale of Friendship

I never knew how much I loved claymation until I saw this movie. Last night "Mary and Max" which is an Australian animated film, with voices that include Toni Collette, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. The film has May, an 8 year old, living in Australia. She is a very depressed, and distraught little girl. She has an addict as a mother, and a workaholic as a father. She does not have any friends, and has the worst self-confidence. She is looking for someone to lean on. She decides to write to a pen pal, Max. Max is a forty-something Jewish Atheist living in New York. He also is distraught, and lonely. He is overweight, and is trying to figure out where his life is going. He has panic attacks, and looks to eating to relieve stress. It turns out he has Aspergers and obesity. He gets Mary's letter and at first he was scared of the consequences, but they turn out to be great pen pals and become the only friends they have. It is a great story of betrayal, cruelty, and eventually contentment.

This film is so amazing because of how it looked. The claymation made it so spectacular to watch. Mary and Max is also really funny in it's sarcastic humor. They're so many laugh out loud moments but it is also a very depressing and sad movie that almost made me cry by the end. I highly recommend it for the aesthetics.

Grade: 85/100 - B

Send Me Your Movie Ideas

If anyone has any movie ideas. I will be happy to review them. If I have not seen it I will watch it and then review it. Please feel free.

Jason Zoblin

Up, Up, and Away

I am a kid at heart and I love Animated films. I just re-watched one movie the other day and I forgot how much I love it. "Up" is what I watched and I just love that film. It has the voice Ed Asner playing Carl Fredricksen. He is an old man living alone after the love of his life, Ellie dies. He spent his whole life with her and did everything he wanted to do with her except for one thing. They wanted to live on Paradise Falls. After Ellie dies, Carl wants to make that happen. He ties thousands of balloons to his house and makes it happen. But before he leaves he is encountered with Russell a boy scout trying to get his helping the elderly badge. He tries to help him by unexpectedly going on the trip with Mr. Fredricksen. They are hilarious together, a kind of Old school and New School duo and they try to make it work. As the story goes on they meet various other characters that are very funny even for adults. It is a great story that is just hysterical and deserved the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

This film is so great. It is really funny for any ages. It is such a great story of father and son and determination. It also extremely depressing. The first ten minutes are the saddest scenes I have ever seen in any animated film. Regardless of that it really makes you think what you want to do before we actually go. And what we want after our significant other dies. I highly recommend it for any age regardless that it might be for kids.

Grade: 91/100 - A-

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is Amazing

The movie I am about to review is one of the best coming of age films I have ever seen. "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" is about Charlie and his new friends, the Wallflowers. Charlie just got out of a mental institution and is going into 9th grade. He is very shy and does not have many friends but he is incredibly kind, loyal, and gentle. He goes to the first football game and his life changes forever. He sees the "jokester" senior in his wood shop class, Patrick and sits with him. They start talking and then he meets Sam, the beautiful queen of the misfits who is played by Emma Watson. They invite Charlie out after the game and he becomes a wallflower, and a member of their friend group. The year goes on and Charlie becomes a better and fulfilling person because he has a great group of friends. He liked Sam from the start but after spending time with her he develops feelings for her and he really wants to be with her. But Sam is a beautiful girl that has a lot of boyfriends, that are usually older. Eventually the Charlie and Sam get what they want by the end. It is an amazing story based off a novel.

Charlie, who is played by Logan Lerman, deserves recognition. He is playing mentally ill teenager and really comes alive on screen. It is definitely his best film to date. When watching this film, you really want him to win in the end. He is a troubled child that is just looking for help, and friendship and even love and he finally gets it. Patrick, who is played by Ezra Miller, is truly great in this film and extremely funny. Emma Watson is such an amazing actress. She is a beautiful woman that can really play different roles, whether it is being a wizard in training or the queen of the misfits. This film will make you laugh and cry at the same time. It is a beautiful rendition of the book. The wallflowers are just trying to better themselves and by the end they finally do.

Grade: 89/100 - B+