Now for three films that have nothing to do with Jesus, Santa Claus, reindeer with red noses, or gay elves. But these three awesome films take place on Christmas. Now for the true meaning of Christmas: guns, boobs, violence, explosions, murder, profanity.... "...these are a few of my favorite things..."
Title: The Ice Harvest
Year: 2005
Director: Harold Ramis
Cast: John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Oliver Platt, Connie Nielsen
Rated: R
My Review: Great original film. Surprising coming from the same guy who directed Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, or Year One. You get this dark comedy, almost not a comedy for how dry it is. But still really engaging, suspenseful, and of course funny. I love John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton, although there performances can seem a little woody. The big eye opener is Oliver Platt, comes in with a bang and does not let up through the whole movie. To me, he's the best character in the movie. Even though the pace is a little slow, I think it helps, because the film takes place in one night, so you feel like your a the journey with Cusack. If you haven't seen this movie it's not surprising, very underrated. 8 out of 10
Jonny's Review: Yes, this was an awesome film, and yet so very dry. This film is a breath of relief when it comes to originality. The beginnings a little slow, as we get to know John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton, wanted to know if ether one of them can be trusted. It was kind of slow bringing us to really get with Cusack's character Charlie, he was just a little too monotone and cold to really route for him. Some parts of the film seemed a little out of place, as I don’t think they really did much for the story. Sure they explained Charlie's past of hardship and misunderstandings, but I didn’t really think they really added much, I was all engrossed with keeping the money a secret and trying to win it back. You could say this is a very casual movie that I can see why some people may be turned off by, but I really love the pace and feel of the overall story, even if the third act seemed a little comedic to me vs. the slow and dry whole of the story. It’s unique, and I must say it’s a very nice movie.
9/10
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Title: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Year: 2005
Director: Shane Black
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen, Larry Miller
Rated: R
My Review: Robert Downey Jr. is awesome in this film. Great dramitic delivery, and beautiful comic timing. Val Kilmer does such a great job as the sarcastic "gay Perry". Michelle Monaghan raises some eyebrows in this, her first major film role. The story is so original. (well I've never read a pulp novel so i'm not sure how original it is compared to those) it will have you guessing the whole way through. But you have to pay attention to this one, even though it can get really funny, you can miss a bunch of plot points if your not paying attention, BAM!!! you missed it! now you have to watch this awesome movie again. And the dialogue is amazing, on par with Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, or the movie Brick (future movie on this blog). Surprising debut directing by Shane Black, writer of the "Lethal Weapon series, a bit of a departure, but a good one. Robert Downey's Narration can't help but put a smile on your face, with his continuous breaking of the fourth wall. If you hate cliche hollywood movie plots, you will love this movie. 10 out of 10.
Jonny's Review: A very nice film of cops and robbers….. Or detectives and murders..... you get the idea. I liked the intricate plot this story told as it tried to get the viewer (me) to investigate the murder myself, or at least in the third act when Robert Downey Jr. asked if I figured it out yet. Well no I couldn't put all the pieces together because I’m pretty sure some clues actually needed much more attention to grasp, keeping an eye on the guy in the back ground sort of deal. Michelle Monaghan is gorgeous in this film, and she actually pulls her weight around as the third character, she gets involved aside the fact it revolved around her sister. I usually see a third character not doing anything or just pushed aside for the two main characters. But as far as having a Christmas theme, I thought Die Hard had a much stronger tone toward Christmas than this film. But who cares, it was a nice Caper Story.
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Title: Die Hard
Year: 1988
Director: John McTiernan
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie, Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, William Atherton, Hart Bochner
Rated: R
My Review: In oh so many words... This Movie Is Brilliant! Great action scenes. I don't know too many movies that have me talking to the screen in suspense. Bruce Willis has so many memorable on-liners. And Alan Rickman makes such a terrific bad guy. The supporting cast is great especially Reginald VelJohnson, as Sgt. Al Powell. If you've never seen this movie, Shame On You! This will keep you on the edge of your seat. 10 out of 10
Jonny's Review: HOLY CRAP! What can be said about this movie, it has everything that is right for an action movie, suspense, drama, explosions, Bruce Willis, one liners that are good, jokes relevant to the situation, Reginald VelJohnson, great all out story, Alan Rickman, I mean this was a great movie. So, for this review, I have to break it down so I don’t just ramble on. The story itself is paced together very well, there was no moment that you felt tired or lacking, it was like a push and shove theme all through the film. The bad guys cause a stir, while Willis comes back to retaliate, at least three or four times in the film. It was just really well orchestrated. The acting was perfect, Alan Rickman has always been a great actor for a bad guy with almost poetic threats to back himself up, While Bruce Willis gave the right about of tuff guy to show his own dedication to serve and protect, and who could forget Reginald VelJohnson, aside for him just being himself, he adds more to the story for the back up support that anybody would love to have. All the camera work, sound FX, props, music, everything had a lot of effort put into it. This movie has tremendous re-watching quality and I see it staying that way for a long, long time. Merry Fucking Christmas Mother Fuckers!!!
10/10
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