Changeling
( Never start a fight… but always finish it.)
Movie Details : Crime | Drama | Mystery
Release Date : Cannes Film Festival: May 20, 2008
United States: October 24, 2008 (limited), October 31, 2008 (wide)
United Kingdom: November 26, 2008
Australia: February 5, 2009
Starring
Angelina Jolie … Christine Collins
Gattlin Griffith … Walter Collins
John Malkovich … Rev. Gustav Briegleb
Jason Butler Harner … Gordon Northcott
Jeffrey Donovan … Capt. J.J. Jones
Run Time : 2 hrs 20 mins
Director: Clint Eastwood
Produced by : Clint Eastwood, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard,Robert Lorenz
Cinematography : Tom Stern
Writer : J. Michael Straczynski
Review
A recount of a true story based on Wineville Chicken Coop Murders; An American period story circa 1928, a time which showcases the state of Los Angeles Police Dept (LAPD) which was as corrupt and full of politics. It also touches the social status of women and Code 12 status of LAPD.
Walter Collins is found missing at home by his mom Christine Collins one day. She lodges a complaint with the LAPD. Christine Collins is told that the LAPD has found her son but she goes and sees that the boy is not her son. On telling Capt Jones the same, she is advised to “try him out for a couple of weeks,” which she does but she gets back to the police because she knows its not the truth.
The LAPD is not willing to admit its mistake and forces her to accept this boy as her son. When she is unwilling to accept that, she is put into the psychopath ward to prove that she is delusional and derelict under “Code 12″ internment—a term used to jail or commit someone who was deemed difficult or an inconvenience.
Reverend Gustav Briegleb talks about this case over the radio, the only means of public communication then and makes the public aware of her plight.
As the plot unfolds, the audience is taken through the different phases of the story which is captivating. Its not too in your face and its not too melodramatic. Its just right for you to get inside the story.
I love the digitization they did for the skylines and the whole look of the film.
Given the fact that Clint Eastwood is involved and if you remember Million Dollar baby, you will see that there are no frills in the direction. Economical is the word I have heard reviewers use and I would agree with them.
Mind you, dont go watch this movie with your adrenalin pumping. You need to really have the mood to have the movie sink in. It grows on you and at the end.. you are left with a very “whole” feeling.
A good movie. Not much to say. You have to experience it.
Had its loopholes but then I am deliberately ignoring them since the whole movie and the strength of the script outweighs them.
My tiny pet peeve :
I could have done without having Angelina’s bright red pouty lips thrown at my face. Sometimes its was too much to take. Each frame presented the characters story and personality and when it rested on Angelina, it was sometimes a bit too much to have them lips dominate the frame.. Sigh.. ( but thats just me)
Seraphim Falls
Movie Details : Drama | Thriller | War | Western
Released on Jan 26, 2007 Limited
Starring
Pierce Brosnan – Gideon
Liam Neeson – Carver
Directed by David Von Ancken
Produced by Bruce Davey, David Flynn, John Limotte, Stan Wlodkowski
Written by David Von Ancken, Abby Everett Jaques
Run Time 1 hr 55 mins
Music by Harry Gregson-Williams
Cinematography John Toll
Editing by Conrad Buff
Review
Caught this in Star Movies in TV. It was a Sunday evening and I wanted to watch a good movie and well this fit the bill as I was surfing the channels.
Set in the 1860s, Gideon is shot and tracked by five men led by Colonel Morsman Carver (Liam Neeson), a Confederate officer to avenge a grudge he has against Gideon.
The story works on these two main characters, the whole story takes us tracking and surving with them. The whole story is full of ” what will happen next” and keeps us in our chair with our Vodka. And with the two of my favorite actors, Liam N and Pierce B, I enjoyed this movie to the hilt.
Till the end of the movie, the audience is left wondering at what actually happened at Seraphim Falls?
A good watch.. while you laze around.. 
Last Dance
Movie Details : Drama| Prison| Melodrama| Suspense
Released on 3 May 1996 (USA)
Starring
Sharon Stone Cindy Liggett
Rob Morrow Rick Hayes
Randy Quaid Sam Burns
Peter Gallagher John Hayes
Jack Thompson The Governor
Run Time : 1 hr, 43 min
Director: Bruce Beresford
Writers : Steven Haft & Ron Koslow
more
Caught this by accident. Though it comes nowhere to Silence of The Lambs, it is a good story for a rainy day. Sharon Stone is good in her role.
I would not jump high for this movie but yeah its a nice one.
The story revolves round Cindy Ligget, who is serving sentence for 12 years on death row for murdering two teenage classmates. She seems to be quiet and has accepted her sentence. Rick, a lawyer desperate for a job, comes along and takes up this case tries to stay her execution.
Here too, the story encounters politics and power which gives an inevitable twist to the story and just when you think that the end would be something, it goes on to surprise you yet not so much.
Wild Hogs
Movie Details : Action | Adventure | Comedy
Released on 2 March 2007 (USA)
Starring
Tim Allen Doug Madsen
John Travolta Woody Stevens
Martin Lawrence Bobby Davis
William H. Macy Dudley Frank
Ray Liotta Jack
Marisa Tomei Maggie
Directed by Walt Becker
Produced by Kristin Burr, Todd Lieberman, Brian Robbins, Amy Sayres, Sharla Sumpter, Michael Tollin
Written by Brad Copeland
Runtime 1 hr 40 mins
Cinematography Robbie Greenberg
Editing by Christopher Greenbury
Review
What can I say ? I loved the movie. If you are in a wacky mood and love biking, catch this. Its a satiric and somewhat realistic take on wannabes hidden under all that humor. I like the fast script and well to certain extent the unpredictability. Humor has to be spontaneous so well I laughed my way through the movie..
Not to be watched with kids though.. some adult content there..
