Set in post-WWII era Los Angeles, “Gangster Squad” is the story of a town that succumbs to the criminal monarchy of a rising mobster, Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn). Cohen is vigilant in his message when he says, “Los Angeles is MY town!” as he stretches a rival gangster from another horde between two cars. He wants the world to know that nothing happens in L.A. without his say so. The police force stands idly by as he terrorizes the city and spreads his drugs throughout the town, since the police are also on his payroll. It seems like there is a dismal future for L.A.
Jan 10 2013 | Posted in
Scott Hall |
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Cloud Atlas is a movie that takes you through six different stories set in six different eras. There are many incidents that seem to coincide as you take a glimpse into each storyline. The same actors portray different characters in each of the periods as they show you how everything is connected and that history has the tendency to repeat itself throughout the ages. Government interference, racism, love and courage are always present in our lives no matter how far into the future you look or how far in the past you research.
Oct 27 2012 | Posted in
Scott Hall |
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The first in a series of films to be released from the horror genre this season is “Sinister.” It follows the story of true-crime novelist, Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) as he moves his family from town to town in search of his next big book idea. Each time he moves his family, they grow more despondent and agitated with their seemingly nomadic lifestyle. This causes a great amount of friction in Oswalt’s marriage. It also seems to be the root of his son’s night terrors and his daughter’s compelling need to expressively paint on her walls.
“Here Comes the Boom” is a film about a school that is in financial disarray and needs to cut extracurricular programs in order to meet their budgetary needs for the coming year. Mr. Voss (Kevin James) is a teacher that barely has a grasp on his job as he seems to be losing sight of why he became a teacher and more importantly, how to prepare a classroom full of children for their futures. Mr. Streb (Henry Winkler) is the head of the music program which is more of a passion for him than a career. His personal life is also very full of music instruction and helping less fortunate students get instruments that he finds and repairs on his own time.
Looper is a wonderfully exciting movie about time travel and the circumstances that arise based on our choices. Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) portrays a “Looper” in his present time of 2044. He is employed by a man from the future, Abe (Jeff Daniels). As a looper, Joe’s duty is to execute people for the mob that are sent back 30 years to a specific place at a precise time and dispose of the bodies so there is no trace of them in the future. Once a person blinks into existence in front of the loopers, they are to immediately shoot them at close range and claim their payment from within the victims’ clothing. For the most part, it is silver bars. If a looper were to execute someone and later find gold bars in their clothing, this indicates that they have just killed their future selves. This is how the mob lets you know that they no longer need your services. The gold bars are the mob’s way of delivering a softening blow and letting you know that you have 30 years left to live. This is called “closing the loop.”
Sep 28 2012 | Posted in
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“The Words” is an admirable story filled with well-written characters and a plethora of emotional contingencies. The movie begins with Clay Hammond (Quaid) as an author approaching the podium to read excerpts from his latest novel. As he delves deeper into the pages of his work, his voice becomes the spoken narrative for the movie itself.
Sep 7 2012 | Posted in
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“Ted” is a raunchy, clever adult comedy that begins with a young, John Bennett (Wahlberg) who is an only child that lacks friends. His parents give him a teddy bear that immediately becomes his best friend. John makes a special wish for, Ted (MacFarlane) to be alive so he can be together forever. John’s wish comes true and, Ted springs to life as his perfect toy and companion. He and John grow up together, do drugs together, curse together and eventually need to go their separate ways in order for John to become the responsible adult that his girlfriend Lori (Kunis) knows he can be.
Jun 29 2012 | Posted in
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“Rock of Ages” is a musical that follows an aspiring young singer, Sherrie (Hough) on her journey from Oklahoma to Hollywood. She has hopes of becoming a star and soon finds out how hard it can be to make a living in the big city. Sherrie goes through many transformations while searching for herself.
Jun 15 2012 | Posted in
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