The Matador is a hilarious spoof. Nevertheless, it manages to convey some thought-provoking emotions.

The Matador introduces us to the lives of a hitman and a salesman, who meet at a bar in Mexico City. Pierce Brosnan throws off his smooth James Bond image, and gives a fantastic performance as Julian, the crude and rough-around-the-edges hitman. Greg Kinnear plays Danny, the average American businessman.

Although Julian and Danny are complete opposites, they end up sharing a bond. Julian is struggling to cope with his chosen career as a “facilitator of fatalities.” Danny is dealing with the pressures of trying to succeed as a businessman. The unlikely duo strike up a friendship, which leads to a bond between them.

So why is the movie called the Matador? One very strong point in the movie is when Julian and a top bullfighter (the Matador) both demonstrate how they must possess clever skills, and devise certain maneuvers to achieve their respective “missions.”

The movie’s other interesting character is Danny’s wife, played by Hope Davis. Davis gives a good performance as the dutiful wife.

The Matador has neither a complex nor a challenging plot (but does have an interesting twist at the end). Despite the lack of complexity, The Matador is worth seeing for the humor and fine performance by Brosnan.

Let me know if you enjoyed this movie as much as I did by adding your comments below.

I am not very fond of Usher’s music, but I definitely think that he is a talented vocalist. And he is also a pretty decent actor too, when he allows himself be. His performance in Light It Up was rather good, as was his stint in The Faculty. But In The Mix really shows that the singer just doesn’t have what it takes to be a lead actor yet.

Maybe it just happens to be the bad plot and dialogue, but Usher just is not with the program in this flick. He is trying hard to look cool, but he isn’t doing much on the acting front, just looking buff and living up to that Will Smithian “street wise yet nice and hip black guy” archetype. Honestly, there would be nothing wrong with that if it was pulled off right. I actually like Will Smith’s acting. But in this scenario, with Usher doing it, it’s just plain awful.

As said before, Usher is actually able to be a competent actor, and that is why this movie is so annoying. The whole time I was in the the theater absorbing the silly boy meets girl plot I kept thinking “Wow. What happened to this guy?” Usher does actually have talent, but none of it is displayed in this film.

But to be fair, he is not the only reason this is a bad film. All the other actors do a poor job as well, and as mentioned, the plot and dialogue is pretty asinine too. Even the title - which oh so cleverly references the bi-racial love affair between the two characters - is dumb. Avoid this movie at all costs, unless of course you enjoy being bored and annoyed for 90 minutes.

Pride and Prejudice is a classic love story that takes place in the 19th century, and is based on a book by legendary novelist Jane Austin.

The story is about the Beet family and their heartfelt yet often humorous struggle to survive in Edwardian England. The family is poor, and the only way to secure the family’s future is for their eldest daughters to marry into a rich family. The story covers the various trials and tribulations that the girls face, especially focusing on Elizabeth, who is played by Keira Knightley in this film adaptation.

There have been other adaptations of the book, but this is the first time that Hollywood has tackled it in a big way. The result is a beautiful heartfelt drama that will stay in your mind for quite some time after you have left the theater.

If you have read the book or seen the 5 hour long miniseries made a decade ago then you are obviously going to compare this film to those versions of the story. The most obvious hindrance that the film has in comparison to the previous versions is the time restriction. While they do a good job of squeezing as much of the story into the film as they can, it just isn’t the type of story you can do in two hours, so they couldn’t be 100 percent faithful to the book in that sense. But that is really the only area where this film is weaker than it’s 1995 counterpart.

Overall I think that this condensed version is actually much more palpable to most people, and the acting this time around is better, as is the cinematography and overall feel in general. The other film simply didn’t have the budget to look this good, and the professionalism of this adaptation really makes the older version look somewhat primitive and made for TV, which it of course it essentially was.

Keira Knightley really shines in this picture as Elizabeth, and it is by far the best performance I’ve seen her give. You really care about her character, and there is real chemistry between her character and Mr Darcy (played by Matthew MacFadyen). If you love a good romantic movie then Pride & Prejudice will not disappoint. Highly recommended.

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The Constant Gardner seems an unlikely title for this movie. The title of the film evokes visions of peaceful afternoons in lush green surroundings, but the series of events are neither calm nor idyllic; they are wrought with turmoil in the midst of the African AIDS crisis.

Don’t be put off by the title, a residual of the book by John Le Carre on which it is based. In fact, while literary tricks are apparent through the visual narrative, the screen adaptation results in a story that unfolds in gripping cinematic fashion.

Fernando Meirelles, the Brazilian director, does a miraculous job of transforming a story for readers into a story for viewers, doing much of the “telling” through choreography, cinematography, and purposefully belated elemental juxtaposition. This may seem like a no-brainer, since this is what directors are supposed to do. But combined with the script and choice of actors, all of the elements come together so seamlessly and realistically, that it is easy to forget that a director was even present to guide them.

Justin Quayle, played by Ralph Fiennes, is a soft-spoken, detached diplomat to Kenya. His wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz) is anything but detached. Her determination to uncover deadly rounds of drug testing on a dependent African community lead to her death . . . and leads Justin to complete the investigation in honor of her dedication to human rights.

It’s about time Ralph Fiennes was given a part worthy of his screen presence. This is the best movie we’ve seen him in since The English Patient. While his character, Justin Quayle, can be at times outwardly sniveling and weak-willed, Fiennes, as diverse an actor as ever there was, pulls it off without a hitch, revealing the character’s psychological strength.

Rachel Weisz as Tessa is a believable free-spirit, admirable in her resolve to see real change in the world. Likewise is their relationship compelling –Justin’s grief over Tessa’s death is as much of a reason for him to abandon the safety of his post as is his growing realization that something gravely unethical is taking place.

As well as Bill Nighy as a corrupt official and Danny Huston as a betraying colleague, it is good to see Pete Postlethwaite on the screen, even though the audience has to wait until the last quarter of the film to encounter his character as a doctor who holds the key to the final question of the drug scandal.

This movie is engrossing from the very beginning, wrenching you in without even a pause for credits. From sweeping, chaotic crowd scenes to extreme close ups of metaphoric detail, the cinematography is beautiful and demands a serious audience.

If that wasn’t enough, a twisting, turning plot paired with convincingly emotional scenes takes The Constant Gardener out of the category of mass-market-paperback movie script and into the realm of realistic drama with a message. The African AIDS plight, the seeming evil disregard of powerful pharmaceutical companies, and the impassioned few who fight against any misconception that life is cheap is almost a call to arms set subtly behind a provocative story, solid characters, and exotic locales.

Add your comments below to let me know what you think of this movie.

Annapolis is directed by Justin Lin (”Better Luck Tomorrow“). This movie is a simple drama about motivation and comradeship. Although the storyline is a cliché (a working-class guy struggling to show the world he can make it), it is still an enjoyable movie to watch.

Since childhood, Jake Huard (James Franco) wanted to join the Naval Academy in Annapolis. His dream comes true when Lt Cmdr Burton (Donnie Wahlberg) delivers the good news in person. Burton is curious: How does a guy with mediocre grades get a recommendation from a congressman to join the Academy? Jake explains he visited the congressman’s office 33 times! And so begins the cliché “How badly do you want it?”

Jake leaves behind his job at the local shipyard, and a strained relationship with his father (Brian Goodman). His father does not encourage Jake’s dream.

Very soon, life at the Academy gets tough for the freshman plebe. Tyrese Gibson gives a solid performance as the formidable Midshipman Lt Cole. He is Jake’s nemesis and superior officer.

One of Jake’s fellow plebes is “Twins” (Vicellous Shannon). He gives a good portrayal of a man constantly trying to live up to his father’s expectations.

Twins gives an interesting analogy during the movie. Jake asks Twins why he has stuck with him (unlike the other plebes). Twins states “You are Mississippi.” He goes on to explain how Mississippi is Arkansas’s best neighbour. Why? Because if it wasn’t for Mississippi, Arkansas would be considered the worst state. Twins is “Arkansas,” and no one is paying attention to its deficiencies because they are concentrating on “Mississippi.”

Jake, who is an amateur boxer, joins the boxing tournament at the Academy. Boxing appeals to him as “everyone is equal in the boxing ring.” It is Jake’s chance to fight off against his nemesis, and to show the world who he is.

Overall the acting was solid. Although Ali (Jordana Brewster) did not give a convincing performance as Jake’s boxing coach.

Expect to hear many clichés during the movie.

A feel-good movie to go and see with your buddies.

Syriana is a very complex picture that points out a lot of the things that go on outside of America, and some of the things that happen inside the country as well. The film has gotten plenty of bad hype among conservatives.

Syriana follows the lives of various different people in the government and international oil businesses. The film is shot in a very choppy piecemeal manner akin to the film Crash, or maybe 21 Grams.

The cinematography in the film is amazing, as is the acting and the dialogue. Everything is very bright and gritty, and you are really attached to everything that happens. Not only does the film give you lots of brainfood, but it also delivers tons of thrill and emotions. You truly care about the characters in this film, which is such a rarity in hollywood these days.

People who lean on the right side of the political spectrum may get their feathers a bit scruffed up while watching this film, but personally I think Syriana is mandatory viewing for everyone. A great film that will make you think.

Don’t be a geisha. Don’t let anyone you know be a geisha. Not even for Halloween. They just don’t have it as good as you might think.

Memoirs of a Geisha, the movie based on Arthur Golden’s novel, reveals and dispels the mystique surrounding the ancient Japanese tradition of geishas.

“Geisha” means artist. They are Japan’s version of the ‘performance artist,’ except way cooler. In the world of cherry blossoms and sumo wrestling, Memoirs unsheathes the women behind the living works of art and we discover that what those gorgeous kimonos and distinct make-up cover isn’t pretty.

The movie opens with a poor girl named Chiyo (endearingly portrayed by Suzuka Ohgo) who is literally stolen from her home in the night and passed along until she finally ends up in a geisha house, where she sadly asks, “What’s a geisha?” Turns out her family sold her and she would never see them again. She was nine years old. And I thought it was hard changing schools when I was nine.

Things just get worse for her from there. It’s a bit of a Cinderella story with a Japanese flair to it. After much torture, Chiyo transforms into Sayuri (played by Zhang Ziyi) and becomes the most famous geisha of all of Japan—until WWII hits and then everything changes again. But of course in all of this, there must be a prince. In the story, he is called the Chairman and we are forever wondering if they will ever get a chance.

The cast is excellent and entirely foreign, though several are familiar because of crossover into American movies. Zhang Ziyi, or in the Western habit of rearranging the names, Ziyi Zhang, is what I always thought of as a geisha. She is delicate, beautiful and completely modest of her charms. She learned to speak English for the movie. (In fact, in Rush Hour 2, Jackie Chan had to translate for her everything the director said.) She is sympathetic throughout except for when she is strong enough not to need it, as in her dance under the snow that is absolutely spectacular.

The Chairman is Ken Watanabe and he makes every scene he’s in better. You might recognize him from The Last Samurai. I totally understand why he is the only bright spot in her life.

The movie is stunning like you would expect it to be with its scenery, costumes and make-up, but it’s also somewhat frustrating. The Japanese actors who make an admirable go at speaking English often times are difficult to understand. I’m not knocking them, it’s just unfortunate that it happens at prime moments so you’re left with whispering ‘what’d she say?’ when you should be feeling the impact of what she said.

Another frustration comes with the nature of the story. Most of these people just aren’t that happy. Every single one seems to be sacrificing something and while it seems honorable, they are all quietly miserable because of it. It’s hard to watch people when you just want to scream ‘Tell him!’ or ‘Leave her alone!’ all the time.

Also, translating a book to the screen is a tricky thing because you have to know what to cut out and what to keep in. Sometimes jumps were made without explanation when it really felt like there should have been and other times important things seemed to be glossed over, both leaving an overall somewhat bumpy ride.

Ultimately, this worth-seeing movie is quite like its subject matter: beautiful and melancholy.

Please share with me what you thought of this movie by adding your comment below.

Generally, when most people think about cowboys, images of the macho Marlboro man are conjured up. The rugged riders out on the plains. It is probably rare that a person thinks of these men and picture them walking off into the sunset hand in hand…with each other. But that is exactly the subject matter that director Ang Lee tackles in his superb movie, Brokeback Mountain.

Based on a short story by Annie Proulx published in New Yorker magazine, Brokeback Mountain tells the tale of two men, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar (played, respectively, by Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger). The movie takes place in Wyoming in the summer of 1963, where the two men meet up while working together on a sheep ranch.

The two form an easy friendship despite their different personalities. Jack’s vibrant and wide-eyed demeanor is in stark contrast to Ennis’s brooding yet tender nature. Despite their differences the two are drawn to each other. They bond as they work side-by-side, sharing stories of their lives and their loves. To the surprise of both men, they find themselves irresistibly attracted to each other. They take comfort in each other realizing a sense of completeness that has up till then eluded both of them. What follows is a heartbreakingly beautiful love story, with a poignancy that touched me deeply.

It’s impossible to write about this movie without applauding Heath Ledger’s portrayal of Ennis. Although he speaks very little throughout this movie, what he lacks in dialogue he makes up for with one of the most soulful performances I’ve ever seen. Playing the tormented Ennis you literally feel his anguish as he goes on to marry a woman, knowing full well that Jack is his one true love. Ledger is already being heralded as next year’s darling at the Oscars and rightfully so.

Gyllenhall’s performance is equally good as Jack. Your heart aches for him as you feel his absolute unconditional love for Ennis and his naïve hope that one day they will be able to be have a future together.

Ang Lee, known for his gripping character studies in such movies as the Ice Storm and Eat Drink Man Woman, succeeds once again in producing a film you can’t take your eyes off of. Besides the compelling relationship between Jack and Ennis, the backdrop of the dramatic mountainous landscape of Wyoming is simply breathtaking.

It is unfortunate that because of the homosexual content in this movie some people will simply not watch it. That is a tragedy because Brokeneck Mountain isn’t just a “gay cowboy movie”. To dismiss it as such is an insult to everyone involved with the making if this film. It’s a movie about unrequited longing and loneliness. A movie about the rapture of finding your soul mate and taking shelter in their love. It is a movie about being human and raw and vulnerable, regardless of sexual orientation. Its theme is universal and it’s a movie not to be missed.

Let me know what you think of this movie by adding your comment below.

Steven Spielberg, renowned director of Schindler’s List and the most prominent Jew in the world of film has done it again. Munich is a film of courage for Spielberg. He’s set himself between the Palestinians and the Israelis and covered decades of terrorism in the final product.

The film begins with the reenactment of the terrorism that took place at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Lynn Cohen, who plays Prime Minister Golda Meir is shown with her cabinet, telling them that there is no chance for peace because of the tragedy. She says, “Forget peace for now.”

Munich is based on a book by author George Jonas, who, in 1956, was a freedom fighter and who now is a conservative political writer who lives in Toronto, Ontario. Spielberg has done and excellent job turning facts written in the book into real emotions and religious beliefs.

Avana, a former bodyguard of Meir is played by Eric Bana. He is the leader of the secret squad that is out to seek revenge on the terrorists. They officially do not exist and have a go-between by the name of Ephraim, who is played by Geoffrey Rush. The fact that they are paid under the table and not known to exist makes the audience wonder why, because Israel is out for revenge and they definitely want that fact known. They make their killings more dramatic by using bombs instead of guns.

Avener’s team consists of himself and four others. They travel under assumed names and carry false passports. One of the team is an expert in forged documents, one if an expert at disarming bombs, one is the trigger man and the other is the person that gets rid of all the evidence after a revenge killing.

The most exciting parts of the film is when there are assassinations taking place. Spielberg has the suspense down pat. It reminds us of Hitchcock’s talent.

The audience holds it breath as Avener and his team wait for a small girl to leave for school before phoning her father. An explosive device has been connected to the telephone. What Avener and his team has failed to notice is that the little girl has returned to the house and she is the one who answers the phone. The team scrambles to prevent the device from exploding. I won’t mention what happens as this will ruin the suspense if you haven’t seen the movie.

Spielberg has timed his movie well, as there is a lot going on between Israel and Palestine at the present time. Everyone seems to be interested in who is right and who is wrong. The director could not have known his movie would be released at the same time that Sharon and Peres were seeking a way to make peace between their factions.

Spielberg has done an excellent job with this movie. It’s a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. If you enjoy a good political thriller, you won’t want to miss Munich. It’s haunting, effective and has turned the facts that are inarguable into something that is up for debate. Don’t miss it!

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Directed by Rob Reiner, Rumor Has It, has all the qualities to make it in the movie world-great actors and a great storyline.

Jennifer Anniston plays the role of Sarah Huttinger. Sarah is engaged to be married and suddenly finds herself unsure of who she is, based on a slip of tongue from her grandmother, Katherine, played by Shirley MacLaine.

When Katherine lets it slip at Sarah’s sister’s wedding that Sarah’s mother almost didn’t get married, Sarah begins to put the pieces together. Knowing that at the same time her mother had run off with someone else, a rumor started about a young woman running off with a young man who had been seduced by her mother. This rumor turned into a book and eventually became a film, “The Graduate”. Sarah believes the rumor to be based on her family and she sets out to find out what really happened.

With Shirley MacLaine as Sarah’s grandmother, Katharine, the movie is hilarious and she plays the part to extreme. Katharine only wants to protect everyone from hearing the truth about what happened with her daughter and their “common” lover. However, Sarah pushes on and discovers more than what she expected.

What Sarah discovers is Beau Burroughs, played by Kevin Costner. Beau not only slept with Sarah’s mother, but also her grandmother. Sarah tells Beau that “Maybe every girl in my family has to sleep with you.” Beau states to Sarah, “Well, I don’t know if they have to, but they certainly have.” To Sarah, Beau represents excitement and adventure and she, too falls under his spell.

This movie is hilarious and is a must see. While the character of Sarah is not quite as interesting as “the book Sarah”, Shirley MacLaine does an outstanding job of the playing the “Mrs. Robinson” of the film. If you remember “The Graduate”, which was nominated for seven Oscars and won Best Director, you’ll follow this movie with excitement and get caught up in the story of Sarah, her husband-to-be, Jeff, played by Mark Ruffalo, her grandmother, Katharine, and of course, Beau, the “family lover”.

Please let me know what you think of the movie Rumor Has It by adding a comment below.