The Famous Car Chase in the Bourne Identity

The Bourne Identity had many great fights and car chases, but the one that stood out the most, was the car chase that had Bourne and Marie going through the streets and alleyways of Paris to try and ditch the police. This link leads to the clip of the car chase in which Bourne is maneuvering a mini copper through Paris in order to keep the police away from him. This car chase stood out from the whole movie because Bourne doesn't who he is, but he does know how to maneuver a car in so many different ways. Bourne has so many great skills that are developed throughout the entire movie. The car chase is a demonstration of Bourne's skills and it shows who wants him found.

The Bourne Interview

The preceding link will take you to an interview presented by BBC reporter Denise Hanrahan to the director of the first installation of Bourne films, Doug Liman. This interview gives some background to the The Bourne Identity film and some other interesting facts from the director.

The Bourne Identity Book Vs. Moive

"I was very curious to see how they compared" says Ben Tomhave of The Falcon's View. This page compairs the film The Bourne Identity to the book. "My recommendation is this if you're interested in the books: discard everything you think you know based on the movies and start from scratch." This may be able to give us some insite as to how the film may be put into context. From Tomhave's point of view the books are worth reading but they are not too similar.

Anderson gives Bourne Identity 3 out of 4 stars. I give it 1.

The following link provides information about The Bourne Identity as well as personal opinions from the author. It gives us a comparison to a film, starring Ben Afflack. Anderson says the movie was a smashing hit. To extend on the opinion a slight summary from the film is given. "Most thrillers blow it by both giving away too much information too soon and relying too heavily on stunts and special effects. The Bourne Identity teeters on the verge of doing both, but happily pulls back just as we're about to lose hope." We are told why this film turned out to be great and further details of the characters and creators are given. Although I do not personally agree that this film is great; it was put together well. If you like this film watch the next edition, The Bourne Supremacy. Also the new edition The Bourne Ultimatum.

BOURNE

In Roger Ebert's review on the Bourne Identity, he says it's "a skillful action movie." He says that he "kind of enjoyed" Bourne Identity. He insists that the movie isn't about anything although there is a considerable amount of action in the film. He says the movie is not neccesary but it is skilled.

I've also included some action scenes from The Bourne Identity.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NGrOXoQ8pkk

Bourne Identity: Ehhh, Just OK

Jerry Saravia's evaluation of the Bourne Identity is nothing but "bland". His review acknowledges the car crashes and shootouts, but when it comes to the plot, the movie isn't anything special. He suggests that it's not worth that $8.50 ticket and that "popcorn has more taste than this".
He opens his review commenting on other films that suit his action film interests, overall stating that they are more intense then the Bourne Identity. The whole review is mainly just a summary of the plot...or its lack thereof. Saravia comments that Matt Damon did the best he could, but with such a poor plot he couldn't make up for it. Mainly, in Saravia's mind the movie doesn't deserve any recognition.

300 movie review

This review seems to complement of Snyder's artistic mind. There were many comparisons made between other movies that Snyder directed. The author of this review seems to give praise to Snyder on the big jump. It made it seem like it wasn't possible to top the other great movies that he directed.

The Bourne Trivia

Ever wonder what went behind the scenes of the The Bourne Identity. I found tidbits of the film that you might find very interesting. Here are some that may surprise you, for example Brad Pitt was offer the role of Jason Bourne before Matt Damon, but turned it down to do the film Spy Games. In the earlier draft of the screenplay, Marie was American, her surname was Purcell, and she had green hair. Also, there are facts that you might not even noticed when you were watching the movie like, when Jason had that red duffel bag in the beginning of the film, and he later gave it to Marie to send her off. It shows up again as a hanging planter in Marie's scooter shop. There is even more fun trivia about the film in the link.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258463/trivia

Exorcism of Emily Rose

Click on the link to read the review by Roger Ebert!!

His Real Name is David

Here is a quick fan compilation of clips from the Bourne series. Some spoilers if you haven't seen the last two movies. Shows a couple of action scenes and voice clips that pretty much summarize the trilogy.

"A Blockbuster without a point"

Xan Brooks writes, on September 6, 2002, a review that surprisingly criticizes The Bourne Identity with such a hate of the movie. He states that it is " a blockbuster without a point." He also says that the director, Doug Liman, did such a job that in the end he had no place to go, and that is what made the movie pointless. All of the reviews that I have read about this movie have been ones that praise it. This is the first review that I have come across in which bashes The Bourne Identity. I don't know what this guy is on, but he's crazy for not liking this movie!

Scoring Bourne

The article is just comenting on the score of "Bourne Identity." The author seems to enjoy the soundtrack very much and urges the public or who ever happens to reads his thing to buy the soundtrack. He compares it to other scores for movies in the same genre and thinks that it is very different and very well done. He put a sample at the bottom of the page, it's called "Treadstone Assasins" and this the "...cue used to accent the resolve of CIA’s experimental squad of hit men."

This brings a question to mind, does the score of a film really help the film flow?

(click at the bottom of the linked page where there is a play button to listen)

"The Bourne Identity" Discourse

The link that I have included is that by Roger Ebert. In this review Ebert gives a synopsis of the charachers, actors, plot and more. He says, "The Bourne Identity is a skillful action movie about a plot that exists only to support a skillful action movie." He sets the movie up for us and allows us to get a clear view of what the movie involves and is about. Ebert reviews the cast and credits including the director and writers. Ebert also compares the film to another movie that was released around the same time that "The Bourne Identity" was. Overall Ebert gives us a summary of the movie and adds his opinion where he sees fit.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020617/REVIEWS/206170301/1023

The Bourne Identity discourse

The link I added contains 38 film reviews for The Bourne Identity. USA Today, Slate, LA Times, and News Week are just a couple. Opinions vary from high acknowledgments to quotes like, "The best audiences can hope for is that they, too, get amnesia and forget they ever saw this movie." Other reviews compare this film to other secret agent films as well as comparing the film to the book. There is a lot of imformation about this movie at this link guys!

The Secret Agent

The material I found was a review of The Secret Agent (1996) by Roger Ebert. This movie tells a story of a man named Verloc who is a member of an anarchist cell and a double agent, paid by the Russians to infiltrate exile groups, married with a young woman who iwanted to find a home for her brother, "murderers who invade their solitude, and the way he must choose between philosophy and violence." says Ebert. "I have been wondering ever since I read it why someone doesn't make a movie out of Joseph Conrad's novel 'Victory'." Victory is the most endings of secret agent movies.

Breach

The movie is a compelling secret agent film with layers upon layers of twists and turns. It will keeping you guessing until the very end. The movie was "inspired by true events" (http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/BRECH.php) making it an inside look at a life of double agents and the inner workings of the FBI. With a cast including Chris Cooper and Ryan Philippe it is a movie that captivates the mind with interest and in some cases compation. Veiwers will be talking about this movie long after they have watched it. To watch a trailor of this movie visit (http://movies.aol.com/movie/breach/26295/video/trailer-no-1/1780965).

The Bourne Conspiracy E3 2007 Trailer

Trailer for Bourne Conspiracy

Spy 101

There are many ways to become a spy or secret agent. The link provided gives full details regarding the many steps, tips, warnings and things needed when becoming a spy. There are many helpful tips provided by the link: "Often real spies don’t choose their career. A spy is an agent employed by a state to obtain secret information, especially of a military nature, concerning its potential or actual enemies. A spy can also be a person employed by a company to obtain confidential information about its competitors." Here's a video provided giving the basic information on becoming a spy: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lVZHug2ZImk.

SPY KIDS

Spy kids follows the typical "Bond Formula" you could expect from a spy genre movie. What i like about spy kids is that it incorporates all the typical spy action in a movie without the blood and intense sex scenes that you typically see in a spy movie. Granted this makes a movie a whole lot more interesting, you can still get the same feeling without all of the violence and nudity. You still get two kids trying to stop a villain from taking over the world. Spy kids has all the cool gadgets, women, villains, and constant action you can see in any spy related movie. Two kids find out their parents are spies for a secret government agency and they become involved in a governement conspiracy against their parents. It becomes up to them to save their parents and the world. The kids use their wits and gadgets to outsmart the evil villain and government and save the day. This may not as much action, blood, and violence, but it definetely puts a new label on what a spy is and what they are capable of doing.

Bourne Conspiracy

To all you Bourne Identity fans, listen up. According to Wikipedia.com, there is finally supposed to be a video game based on the the "Bourne" movies featuring the main character Jason Bourne. Not much information is given about the video game only that it is supposed to come out on PS3 and X-BOX360 sometime during the next summer. By the way the developers for the video game is High Moon Studios, but I am not sure if that means anything due to the fact that I stick to just EA sports video games.

Spy Gadgets

Spy gadgets have always been what makes spies so good at what they do. For years spies have relied on new and creative gadgets to help them figure out their mission. The CIA says new technology and gadgets will help the CIA for years to come. The CIA has an investment called In-Q-Tel which predicts will help them with their problems.

A spy in the Holy Bible???

The spy genre is so popular today and has been for many centuries. Now a days we see movies such as James Bond agent 007, Bourne Ultimatum, Goldmember, Man on fire and many more. Now would it surprise you to hear the word spy in the Holy Bible? It's true the books of Genesis, Luke, James, Joshua, Judges and Hebrews carry many quotes mentioning spies. I suppose it is odd to write about spies in a paragraph and also mention "James Bond agent 007" and "Holy Bible." However the Holy Bible does not hold stories like the movies i mentioned before that involve killing. racing cars, causing explosions, or unexpected sex. its phrases seem to hold a much more simple definition of spy, something more like someone sent to find something out. If you would like to see these quotes feel free to check out the page, it is kind of cool and unexpected.
Cynthia Navarro

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Mr and Mrs Smith have most of your typical "secret agent" cliches that you would find in many movies, but there are different twist and turns than other movies. The viewers know that the two seperate agentcies have something plannned for Mr and Mrs Smith, but having them out to get the couple was something unexpected from the movie. With that, neither John nor Jane knew that they were agents until the different agentcies wanted to ruin their life. Granted this may not be the best secret agent film of all time it gives some new and fun to the genre. The site I have found just gives more information on the movies and its actors/actresses.

Enemy of the State

Enemy of the State is a great thriller movie of the spy genres. Like most spy movies it involves plots with the goverment. In this case the NSA or National Security Agency of the United States. Will Smith, one of the main actors, gets caught in a game he never wanted to be in. He got a hold of a tape that wasn't supposed to get out. Will Smith was put under survellience by a NSA agent. This agent wanted to pass a bill to give the government greater survellience powers. Smith's life is getting ruined by this agent.

Myth and Reality in Espionage

What is espionage? What are the tools of the trade? Many things that will fool you into thinking no one is watching. What is used and what is not. For more info check out the site.


For more enjoyment watch hot to be a spy.
To win at being a spy give them a big helping of
FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY
...AMERICAN STYLE...

The Austin Powers Series

Technological gadgets, drugs, sex, and plenty of women are on the list of things that brings out the stereotype of spy movies. This review explains how every series of the Austin movies was to emphasize on the whole Jame Bond formula. This movie is used more as a comedy towards the whole stereotypical James Bond movies. The Austin power movies always start with some sexually content, as does the James Bond series. Basically the Austin Powers mimics the whole James Bond with a little comedy twist. It contains the stereotypical "Bad guy" and his evil plots. Also, the evil plots deal with a world crisis and it is up to Austin to save the world. The review explains how it was a bigger hit because of the sex, comedy and action put together. The movies that can be compared to it varies because the movie has a broad genre. For instance, the movies There's Something About Mary and Jim Carrey films like Dumb and Dumber. Overall, all the review explains about this movie is that it makes fun of the whole spy formulated movies.

The Good Shepard

The Good Shepard, released in 2006, is the story of the creation of the CIA through one man's point of view. Starting during World War II with working for the OSS, a secret intelligence agency for the British in London. But with the Germans out of the picture and the soviets now posing a threat, the US turns the OSS into the CIA. And with the transition Edward Wilson follows along. But what he doesn't realize is what it will cost him to stick with it. An unhappy marriage, and the terrible fate of his son are only a few of the costs. But this movie shows what it took to set up such a big agency that we know today helps us all over the world.

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me?

This movie along with other films in this genre follow a set of guidelines. These guidelines are referred to as "The Bond Formula". In this film genre there are a couple of aspects repeated widely. There are gadgets, beautiful women, mastermind villains, and of course plenty of action, these are just a few main points. The Spy Who Shagged me also stayed true to the guidelines. There were plenty of gadgets like the time machine. The beautiful woman is a CIA agent by the name of Felicity Shagwell .The role of the mastermind villain is played by Dr. Evil. As for action, its there by the boatload. There are many similarities between this movie and other movies in the same genre. Although this movie has a comedic twist it stays true to the spy genre.

From Russia with Love

James Bond is a spy agent that gets the job done with all the missions he's been. To define a secret agent like James Bond is that he gets the beautiful women, exotic cars, hi tech gadgets, explosions and more. James Bond has all of that and more in this movie. Also, it will contain violence, action, and romance in this series of 007. He will fight against villians that would want to take over the world, and Bond is always there to stop them. Therefore, Bond oncce again has to stop them in order to keep the world safe from evil people.

Spy Methods!

Usually when people watch spy movies they don’t really think about how much work there has to be done to be able to complete their mission. Movies tend to show the action, cars, and girls but do not really give us a background of how they made it to be spies. In the article I have linked I found some spy methods explaining what a spy really does and what they have to go through to be trusted and successfully do their job. Take a look and you will see that being a spy is more difficult than we thought!

Spy Methods!

Usually when people watch spy movies they don’t really think about how much work there has to be done to be able to complete their mission. Movies tend to show the action, cars, and girls but do not really give us a background of how they made it to be spies. In the article I have linked I found some spy methods explaining what a spy really does and what they have to go through to be trusted and successfully do their job. Take a look and you will see that being a spy is more difficult than we thought!

Agent Cody Banks: Finish homework, avoid getting grounded, save the world...

Well-built, tough, ladies man; these are just some of the adjectives used to describe a typical secret agent. However, in Agent Cody Banks, a teenage boy is taken from the suburbs and is trained to become a CIA secret agent. Athough there are no government overthrows or assassinations, Cody still has to deal with nagging parents, loads of homework, overcome his awkwardness around the opposite sex, and on top of that uncover a mans's scheme to create indestructible robots.
However, when Cody's emotions begin to take over to the point where he almost gives away his assignment, he is force to remove himself from the mission. The only thing is, Cody is willing to give up everything in order to finish the job he started. Cody steals devices from the CIA, rides to the top of a mountain, makes his rescue, and captures the bad guy. This just comes to show how you do not have to be the biggest, toughest guy out there or have the best knowledge of the opposite sex to be considered a secret agent. All you have to do is use everything you learned and put it to the ultimate test. Is it in you?!?

007 Everything or Nothing

The spy/secret agent genre is so popular that there are even video games being made involving the ever popular James Bond. One of the newest of these games made is called "James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing." Secret agent films usually involve some sort of crime, violence, action, and a main character who fights off a villain or in many cases more than one villain. This video game puts secret agent films into context by allowing the player to experience exactly what a secret agent does and what they are about. In many secret agent films you most always find a lot of action and you may even see several car chases. This video game allows you to be the driver and you can decide how the chase goes. On the website that I have found you can read summaries, reviews, view images and videos of this game. The game is designed with much technology which makes the secret agent genre come to life through your TV screen.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/007nothing/images.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gsimage&tag=images;img;3

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BGUStBC5Obw

Secret Agent Gadgets

What does James Bond, Xander Cage, and Jason Bourne have in common that makes them a secret agent?

They all have gadgets!!!

All secret agents including our class examples, James Bond, Jason Bourne, and Xander Cageare defined by their gadgets. Their gadgets are advance in technology,cool, and they help them in their secret mission.

In defining an importantelement of a secret agent, I started searching the internet to find a way to put it into content. So, I came across this website Pcmag.com, TheIndependent Guide to Technology, which has a list of 10 gadgets that even James Bond would appreciate having. These gadgets are TeleSpy Phone, Security Camcorder Hidden in a Clock, Rechargeable M-7 Secret Agent SpyEar, Tie Camera with Digital Video Recorder/Monitor, Spy Watch XP-6,Meccano Spyke Spy Robot, SnoopStick, Spy Finder Hidden Camera Detector,Digital Spy Camera Pen, and Wild Planet Spy Night.

These gadgets are seen in films yet they are also available for those real life secret agents.

Spy Game

Miraculous cars, beautiful women, startling gadgets, exotic locations, alcohol consumption, explosions, car chases and crashes, and armaments are some of the ‘icons’ spy films have. Although all these components make up a spy film, there is more to it. Spy Game in context to Bourne Identity and other spy movies, contribute to the “spy film” image. The movie starts off with Brad Pitt, a spy, on a mission in china. During the mission Pitt is taken in captive. When CIA is informed that the Chinese government has captured an American spy, they need to find out everything they can about Brad Pitt. During this process Robert Redford is questioned. Robert Redford recruited Brad Pitt from the army in the late 70s. We learn tat he was a sniper, and showed potential for the spy game. So Redford takes him under the wing, and shows him everything there is about the game. Although by the end of the movie we learn that Brad Pitt had fallen in love, and broken rules to rescue his lover (the mission in china), this movie revolves around the spy “world”. As in Bourne identity, Bourne quits his doings to be with Marie Kreutz. Both these movies have much in common, which is in context to all spy films. By reading the review of this film, you will learn the similarities and differences of both the movies.

What is a Spy?

A spy movie is a spy movie right? Wrong. Although extremely brief in his article about what constitutes a spy film, this professor of history from the University of Toronto, shows us, through the movies Dr. No (1962) and Spy who came in from the Cold (1965) that spy movies will generally take on one of two different types. Each of those movies represents a different type. Also, this link below is a video clip from the Spy who came in from the Cold which shows us how a spy in this type of spy film describes himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyf5nTJAbHs

Bond, Bond, and more Bond

Although this piece doesn't analyze the Bond movie series, it does do something close to it. This is a list of cntaur5 's 10 favorite Bond movies. The user isn't a professional critic or analyst, but his insight on the Bond movie franchise does shed some light on some of the qualities that bridge all the Bond movies. And in another way, the piece also describes some universal secret-agent movie qualities.

The Safe House.

This is not a spy movie that you watch it's a restraunt where you are like the detective. (http://www.safe-house.com/mainmenu.cfm). Here are two links. One to the restraunt where there are secret enterances (yes plural enterances) and secret exits. There is also a secret password to enter the restraunt if you arrive later than 8 pm. The other link is from the same company and they provide questions with hints and interesting links that make you a spy. When asked to describe their restraunt 'The Safe House' they say its "It's licensed to thrill!" This gives us more of a first hand experience of the Spy genre by experiencing it ourselves.

Espionage and Secret Agents

When people hear the word espionage they might not know what it means. Espionage is the act of spying or obtaining information from an organization that might be considered confidential or secret. This a Wikipedia article that I found through Google about secret agents, also known as spies, and espionage. It gives us some information about spies in real life. It tells us how spies went about doing their business in different eras throughout history. From ancient China to the cold war I found this article very interesting and informative.

The Secret Agent Genre

I was searching on google for something that would help us better understand the secret agent genre. After a little searching I found some good information on wikipedia. This site gives a great background about spy fiction. It explains that the genre began about the same time that intelligence agencies were formed. On this site you will find a great deal of information about the spy genre from when it started before WWI up to today with terrorism. The site also has many links to the prominent writers of the spy topic. This is a great site to learn about the secret agent genre.

The Definition of Secret Agent

There are many things that define a secret agent.
For example looks, sexy women, cool new gadgets, jaw dropping cars, and more. But what do the words Secret Agent mean? Many think of James Bond, Jason Bourne, or even Xander Cage when secret agent is mention. But those are what the secret agent is called not what defines the word. There is more to a agent besides their name. This link not only defines secret agent but goes lets us know about other different types of agents and gives us their discription. After reading this link it may give one a different perspective on what they thought secret agent means.

THE SECRET AGENT

The Secret Agent; released in 1996 and directed by Christopher Hampton gives us the overall look of what a secret agent should be. The review briefly gives us traits of secret agents being wealthy,having a girlfriend who needs their money and the mission of good action. This review tells us the secret agent uses false identity and is sent to plant a bomb. A secret agent's mission is to get the job done. This was rated as a movie that needs to be seen. The review gives us little information but it does educate us of what a secret agent does. Our agent is handsome and talented. "Pull yourself together. Remorse is for the weak and weakness is the source of all evil on this Earth. There's a time coming - and it's gonna be sooner rather than later - when this will be understood by governments and individuals: that there can be no progress and no solutions until you make a rational decision to exterminate the weak." The proffesor, played by Robin Williams, says this and believe has much relevance. If a secret agent shows fear then immediately the cover can be broken. You get rid of the weak and continue to be strong and no one will have pity on you. The secret agent is played by Bob Hoskins. This film is outstanding and this review doesn't fail to mention it.

Secret Agent Films At Their Best!

When thinking of a secret agent film, plenty come to mind. Aeon Flux is quite the choice. It portrays so many typical secret agent characteristics while being entertaining and adding a furturistic twist. There are quite a few little things that really MAKE a secret agent film. All the Bond films have really done wonders with this genre. Aeon Flux follows those very well. She uses her unforgettable gadgets that really keep you on edge. Throughout the film she is getting caught in face offs where the outcome is unpredictable until it unfolds infront of you.

The ABC's of Secret Agents

When I think of a secret agent movie James Bond automatically pops into my head! I'm sure I'm not alone in the world, I bet most of you also think of James Bond. So while I was stumbling along the internet and I came across this site with an article called The A-Z of Secret Agents written by Alana Lee. Most of these secret agents I've never even heard of before but that is why I found it quite interesting. This list has a range of agents from old movies in the 60's to agents from movies of the present. It even tells you what movie these agents are from. Who would think Harriet the spy would be in the same list as James Bond, Xander and Jason Bourne. Now I know James Bond isn't the only person who can "save the world".

To Charlie

When the words spy movie are tossed around one doesn't think of chicks, but hey chicks can kick some serious ass. Charlie's Angels, though not a popular spy movie, is a popular movie. This movie steals some pointers from its mentors (Mission Impossible, Bond series, etc.) and packs a lot of action. It's filled with action scenes that range from regular man on man, err well woman on man, fist fighting to crazy pyrotechnics. Being the "girl power" movie that it is; there aren't any gory scenes with blood squirting everywhere, and people's arms being chopped off. If you're not into the intense spy movie, such as the Bourne trilogy, pop one of the Charlie's Angels films in. It's light hearted, action packed, and humorous. Though it isn't as serious as many spy movies, Charlie's Angels can hold its own. To put it simply; this movie is easy entertainment. No predictions necessary, no complicated story line to figure out, and definitely no leading man with a gun who gets all the ladies. Just three chicks kicking some major ass.

True Lies (How can Lies ever be True??)

Deceipt. Misconception. Lies. Role playing. Gadgets and high-strained technology. Intimacy. Secrecy. Mission to "save the world." This 1994 film, directed by James Cameron (also the director of Titanic), possesses each of the above phrases mentioned. It's an action pack, fun-filled secret agent film that is sure to keep one entertained. It is about a man, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who loves his family very much but can not reveal to them his real occupation as a secret agent on a mission to target a group of terrorists. His wife, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is bored of the life she currently leads and finds pleasure in having an affair with an auto salesman. In return, Harry (Arnold Schwarzenegger) gives his wife a taste of the "real thing" by trying to make her fall in love with an enemy agent - Harry himself. However, the plot has not begun yet. Unexpectedly and horribly, Harry's whole plan to blackmail his wife fails because one of the terrorists goes to Miami and kidnaps Helen. The film suddenly becomes an action-packed film. Harry is fighting terrorists while rescuing his wife back and ultimately revealing to his family what he really does as a living. It is obviously something that is not typical of a family man to reveal to his family. What each character must go through is a battle, a difficult challenge in which trust, truth, and familly must come first in order for everyone (and the world!) to be saved.
Here is a clip of Jamie Lee Curtis strip-teasing in front of her husband, but who is someone she thinks is a complete stranger and "bad guy." It is sensual. The atmosphere is dark and suspicious. The mood is anything but tranquil; in fact, it is uneasy for Helen's role especially and uncredulous from her point of view. It is humourous too...if you think about it because it's really a big joke in which there is lots of dramatic irony. The link I posted has numerous brief synopses on the film.

Top 10 spies

Have you ever wondered who are the top 10 spies in all of the movie world? Well, Kevin Williamson, a writer for the London Free Press, made a list of who he thought were the top ten spies of all time. His list ranges from Maxwell Street, a spy played by Steve Carell in movie due out in 2008 to James Bond, a spy who has a long list of actors behind his face. Kevin gave a brief description of what each spy did in the movie along with who played them and his own opinion of the spy. Even though Austin Powers is a comedic portrayal of a spy, Kevin lists him as one of his top ten due to his love for his work and his balance between love and work. Kevin also listed a woman as one of his top ten spies, Jane Smith played by Angelina Jolie in the 2005 "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" due to her ability to fight even if she got hurt. This list gives people an inside look to the top ten spies of all time from the old time spies to the new and improved spies of our time.

Secret Agent!!!!

So this is one of the first secret agent films. The movie is by Alfred Hitchcock and was made in 1936. The story line is about a World War One vet who is recruited by the British military to kill a German Spy in Switzerland. The WW1 vet is played by John Gielgud and his accomplice/ fake wife is played by Madeleine Carroll.
The link for this post is the WHOLE movie, all 81 minutes of it. And i also received most of my information from the website :http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/438145/index.html. ENJOY!

Mission: Impossible

Mission: Impossible starring Tom Cruise is the ultimate secret agent film. Its about Ethan Hunt, an American agent, who under false suspicion of disloyalty, must discover and expose the real spy without the help of his organization. This action packed film was reviewed 12 years ago with Roger Ebert and the late Gene Siskel. Siskel said that it was "a solid movie that was adapted from the 1960s tv show. And the director Brian DePalma did an excellent and creepy job directing it." Ebert said that it has "intense special effects and enjoyed it." So obviously they gave Mission: Impossible 2 thumbs up. Here I provided the link of the tv show Siskel and Ebert reviewing the film.

http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper/index2.html?sec=6&subsec=mission%3A+impossible

Secret Agent Barbie

The link that is included in this post takes you to the secret agent Barbie website. This site will help to put secret agent films into context because of the major similarities between secret agent Barbie, and other secret agents. All the the elements to this unique Barbie's abilities will help to put into context that the Secret Agent phenomena does indeed follow a certain criteria, whether it be for something as childish and whimsical as Barbie or for something as intense and action packed as Bond.

BOURNE TRIVIA WOOT!

What's that? You want to know all the little details in the Bourne Identity?! Well then, you're in luck. After a little web surfing I found a neat website that would be very useful if you had to take an exam on the Bourne Identity. From questions about the color of Marie's (the girl that drove Jason to Paris) front fender to Jason's bank account number and much more. All these questions are pretty much useless to me, but if I had to take a test on this movie, this is the first place I would study. And hopefully these will help you out if you were ever in a time of need. ENJOY!

Men in Black...Yes, a Spy Film!

Although typically viewed as a comedy, Men in Black, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, also plays the double role of a spy movie. Yes, the main characters are after aliens disguised as humans that are invading our planet; however, they do portray the universally recognized secret agent men. With clean-cut black suits and ties, nifty over sized gadgets, and a car tinkered for destruction, the agents identify with the spy genre and also are working for a super-secret government agency. Could this feed into the spy genre anymore? Also, the film illustrates what the audience typically expects from the spy genre: exaggerated combat, queer enemies, and plots to destroy mankind. I have attached a movie clip of the trailer from the original Men in Black (1997), that presents the gadgets and enemies that are loved by all. I also have a link to a review of the movie, from an unknown source, that describes more of our witty spy characters and the film's plot. The movie also informs us of what America was wanting from the spy genres in the late '90s.

One of the First Secret Agent Movies

Basically the site just gives a quick polt summary of the movie. Also, the actors and actresses included in the movie. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, which I thought was very weird considering that most people know him for his horror films. The movie was made in the 1930s and was based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel, Ashenden. Which makes me wonder, are most Spy/ Secret Agent oriented films based on novels first?

Casino Royale - Secret Agent Man

Casino Royale is a great secret agent film. I have never seen a “Bond” film before so I didn’t know what to expect of his character that other people talk so highly about. After seeing the film I saw what a great character he is. He is always up for a challenge. The material I got was a review of the movie by Roger Ebert. He said “"Casino Royale" has the answers to all my complaints about the 45-year-old James Bond series, and some I hadn't even thought of. It's not that I didn't love some of the earlier films, like some, dislike others and so on, as that I was becoming less convinced that I ever had to see another one.” Daniel Craig plays the Bond character and Ebert says he is “Leaner, more taciturn, less sex-obsessed, able to be hurt in body and soul, not giving a damn if his martini is shaken or stirred. “ He gives the film a good review. In this Bond movie, Craig gives new life to his character. Like all Bond movies, this one wasn’t short on stunts. They continued from beginning to end. Ebert thinks that “the public is getting tired of action sequences that are created in post-production. I've been swamped with letters complaining about "The Bourne Ultimatum." “ With that said, make way for more secret agent films!

Attention All Videogame Lovers!

Have you ever wondered what it is like to stand in James Bond's shoes? I know I haven't, but for people who have, I have found the perfect video game for you! "James Bond 007: Nightfire" is a recently released Playstation 2 game. This game could be useful towards putting a secret agent film into context because you're basically in the shoes of a secret agent. The stimulating visual display is a plus, as well. The video game is a compilation of all of the best 007 moments throughout history, and has a four player mode! What could get any better than that?



Also, Mr. Bushnell, I forgot to put a label for my last blog post about my film review, is that a problem?

Splinter

Here is a little trailer for the game "Splinter Cell: Double Agent" where you play as double agent Sam Fischer who goes deep into undercover to complete his mission. This little clip shows what you would typically see in a spy film. A little low on the womanizing, but there are guns, gadgets, and near-death action all around. Based on the books of the acclaimed author of the spy genre, Tom Clancy, you will be surprised that the main character is not walking around in designer suits, but actually getting his hands dirty.

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW

Writting for Mixed Reviews, Gabriel Shanks reviews THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW. This 2004 modern apocalypse film was directed by Roland Emmerich.

In the first paragraph Shanks explains what genre this film is. She also compares this film with another, and explains ecological issues.

The second paragraph explains the graphics of some good scenes. Also, Shanks compares scenes with another movie Roland Emmerich Directed.

The third paragraph explains the screenplay, along with humorous quotes from the film. This paragraph also lists several more films of the same genres.

The next paragraph explains the plot, the character's names, and who played them.

In the last paragraph Shanks opininates the film, and tells what the film is going to bring you.

The Gladiator

The gladiator takes its audience on an epic journey through moments of pain, happiness, and pride. William Arnold writes, "[The Gladiator] ... delivers a particular kind of visceral historical spectacle that movie audiences haven't seen in decades." Russell Crowe takes on the role of a general named Maximus. Maximus who is a beloved hero and a great warrior is betrayed by his own nation and sold into slavery. In slavery Maximus is forced to take up sword and shield as he fights for his life in a coliseum as a gladiator. This epic move shows the great journey and the lengths that Maximus goes as he continues to struggle for his beliefs and as he seeks revenge.

The gladiator really touches the audience in a way that makes the viewer feel as if he or she could almost relate to Maximus. Perhaps it is the amazing acting, the creative delivery of the film, or the well thought-out scenery and costumes. Whatever it is, the overall experience is phenomonal.

Acts of Worship

Acts of Worship is directed by Rosemary Rodriguez who portrays Alix (Ana Reeder), a young woman who comes from a middle class family and finds herself in the gruesome hands of the streets. She is submerged into the dark hidden world of the city, a world filled with sex, violence and drugs.

Alix becomes a homeless prisoner of the streets of New York. Struggling to keep her composure, Alix does whatever necessary to get what she wants. She becomes a drug addict and along her journey many of the unthinkable happen.

Along her journey she comes along Digna (Michael Hyatt), who is a recovering addict. Digna notices how troubled appears to be, that in a way ends up seeing a young Digna in the eyes of Alix.

Digna decides to take her under her refuge and she does everything necessary to get her on the right track. At the same time, Digna is struggling and trying to get her career rolling. Digna is a professional photographer. After so much has happened, Digna is really stressed and happy with her magazine deal. Soon after this Alix gets into trouble with Digna, she unveils a side she has hidden for such a long time.

This movie brings out the reality to the actual world outside our windows. Being one of my favorite movies, unlike many others, depicts the situations in a more real manner. This movie also gives out a powerful message of how things are in today world.

At the end the unimaginable happens and shows how powerful the matters in the streets are.
This movie is one of the few that actually depict the move in such an honest and truthful matter.

-|Petey|-

Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting is a beautiful story of a young man, Will, played by Matt Damon. Damon's role in this movie involves a genius young man who spends his time working as a janitor, hanging with his friends, drinking and getting into trouble. A college professor is amazed when he discovers that the young janitor was the only one who could solve a difficult problem, a problem his students had'nt been able to solve. This is how this professor realizes Will's intelligence and offers schooling. Will finds nothing wrong with his present life and can care less, his life is going nowhere and four people are trying to turn his life around, the professor played by Stellan Starsgard, a counselor played by Robin Williams, his best friend played by Ben Affleck and a girl in love with Will, Minnie Driver. We then realize why Will pulls back so much from this opportunity, as a child he was put down one to many times and is in fear of failing once more.
GREAT MOVIE!!! Please go see it you'll love it.
CynN

Is it the Last One?

Run, Jason, run, with these words Roger Ebert begins his journey in reviewing the identity of the film, The Bourne Ultimatum. His review title cutting to the chases shows the dissatisfaction of how the Bourne films have taken Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) in a surreal hunt across the world. Such hunt has lead into bizarre chases where the secret CIA in America tries to track him. When the CIA finally has his exact location, Bourne manages to escape the technologically advanced gadgets the CIA sets to find him. As Roger Ebert said “Some guy finds himself with a fake identity, wants to know who he really is and spends three movies finding out at breakneck speed. And if the ending of ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ means anything at all, he may need another movie to clear up the loose ends.” Certainly, Ebert critiques that their have been to many Jason Bourne films. Yet, he credits Matt Damon for being able to make his character realistic leading the audience to care about him even if the audience knows that such character could not exist in real life. Lastly, with a three and half star rating, Ebert ends his review by saying this movie is complete by itself because there is always something happening to Bourne to be able to run away from the action or even towards it.

Halloween- The Zombie Edition

2007 James Berardinelli, REEL VIEWS

Rob Zombie has remade the slasher classic Halloween. The big difference between this and the original is that Zombie gave a back story to the characters. James Berardinelli says doing this cuts down on the original story at hand. 2 out of 4 stars were given.

In the first paragraph James B. criticizes that these bad remakes are making it difficult to remember what was so great about the originals. He compares Carpenter's original to Zmmbie's remake.

The second paragraph trashes Zombie's work behind the camera, but remarks that Zombie was able to keep your attention for 2 hours. Something that he compares to Zombie's previous films for not doing.

The third paragraph describes the differences in this film from the original. It has a back story, and its more savage. He remarks that it lost the tone that the original had by making the film more plodding and savage.

The fourth paragraph, 5th, and 6th paragraph gives some story-line/plot analysis. There is a lot of opinion when talking about this. James B. seems to think that Zombie's white trash vision is inferior to that of Carpenter's. James adds that the ending is overwrought and the camera work is too shaky when Michael is on screen doing his dirty-work.

The 7th paragraph talks about how the acting was bad and embarrassing, which would have most to do with the dialog. James argues that the character Loomis is 50% carpenter and 50% Zombie....to note on that he says it doesn't work.

The 8th paragraph criticizes Zombie's use of the Halloween theme. He said it was not used enough in the film. James compares another Halloween film to this one and the original. The 9th paragraph compares the mask to another Halloween film and that of another actor who wore it.

James B. Compares Halloween to Saw and explains that they didn't release it earlier because they didn't want it going up against Saw. James B. gives his final opinion on Halloween and says it only works "for those whom Michael is an indestructible icon."

The Hills Have Eyes

I recently found a review on the movie The Hills Have Eyes. Not the original, but the 2006 remake. The movie is about a family traveling in a trailer to California through the New Mexico Desert, who is misled to a shortcut going to the middle of nowhere by the an old creepy guy at a broken down gas station. They end up wrecking their car into a huge rock. Along the night and on the next day, they are attacked by a group of deformed cannibals, based off and coming from the nuclear tests conducted by USA from 1945 to 1962 in that spot. Trapped in this torture pit, they have to fight to survive. In the review Keith Breese says: "Alexandre Aja (Haute Tension) retools Craven’s classic and turns it into a bold, spaghetti western-inspired tale of revenge, family, and American politics." In other words Aja blows cravens out of the water turning it into a great horror movie. Breese also contrasts the original The Hills Have Eyes to the 2006 remake. He also takes the time to talk about the plot, the differences between the two films, along with many other key points that make a review worthy of being read. He states: "...The Hills Have Eyes is a carefully plotted, brilliantly coiled example of suspenseful horror filmmaking." I agree with him on that comment, and recommend seeing it to everyone up for a horror.

SUPERBAD!

I've found a review of "Superbad" by Roger Ebert, which was posted on www.rogerebert.com. In this review, Ebert compares the movie to "National Lampoon's Animal House." This movie has gained so much popularity, "There are already T-shirts being sold with 'I Am McLovin' printed on them."

Ebert on Casino Royale

When I did the google search for "Ebert Casino Royale" I mistakenly clicked the review he gave of the 1967 film, which showed me just how long he had been in the game and that his opinion was definatly one that came from experience. In his review of the 2007 remake of the film starring Daniel Craig in his first Bond movie, he opens his piece claiming that "Casino Royale has the answers to all my complaints abotu the 45-year-old James Bond Series, and some I hadn't even thought of." He goes on to share how this movie is fresh and new from the beginning and could be any viewer's first Bond film. In ths paragraph he introduced the history behind Ian Flemming's series of novels, beginning with Casino Royale, and production histories of the story.

In his second paragraph he makes effort to praise Daniel Craig in comparison to previous Bonds, and the words he uses to demonsrtate this, such as "leaner, more taciturn, less sex-obsessed, able to be hurt in body and soul, not giving a damn if his martini is shaken or stirred" are only useable in relativity to the previous actors who have played in Bond's shoes. He opens a new section describing the formulaic and predictable plots, then contrasts that to the structure of Casino Royale, even going on to say it is a movie that keeps on giving. Ebert outlines every difference between this film and its predictable predecessors.

In his next paragraph, Ebert says how he never cared about the characters in films before, but in this one ended up with real emotional investments. He then claims a review should not be a list, and just before ending describes not the scenes themself, rather, what he enjoyed or wa troubled by. He answers a followers question, "Why don't critics admit they're tired of it?" reasoning critics are tired of writing how tired they are of it.

The review ends with another quick outlone of the plot, a quick history of the director, Campbell's involvement in the Bond franchise (He directed Goldeneye as well), and how Daniel Craig helped him break every one of his own molds. Ebert gave Casino Royale (2007) four stars.

Terminator DOS (2)

Arnold Schwarzenegger, remember him. Of course you do, he starred in all 3 terminator movies. What an accomplishment. Although I liked this movie because of all the action and killer robots Robert Ebert apparently didn't. "Science fiction has had fun toying with such paradoxes for generations, but "Terminator 2" takes the prudent course of simply ignoring them and centering its action in the present..." I don't know about you but I sure hope they come out with a Terminator 4 because I've been waiting for the resistance to finally destroy these robots.

Lethal Weapon Film Review

In a movie view written by Vince Leo, he said that Lethal Weapon is "Setting the standard for cop buddy movies for years to come"(Leo, Vince). In the first paragraph, Vince states the crew of the cast and the director who made this movie had a great chemistry together with the big movie stars that made this action movie work. He compared it to a Die Hard movie that was made at that same time period. In the second paragraph, he talks about Mel Gibson, one of the main character. He tells the background of the character that Mel plays as Martin Riggs. Then he talks about Danny Glovers character as Roger Murtaugh. He talks about how they became partners in fighting crime. In the same paragraph, he talks about those two's first assignment together. Then in the las two paragraphs, he express the chemistry that Danny and Mel had for this movie. He says that Lethal Weapon is one of the best action movie that anyone could ever imagine to hope for from the Hollywood release. Therefore, Vince Leo explains how great and exciting this movie is and I totally agree with Vince on this.

MEAN GIRLS FILM REVIEW

In a review written by Christopher Zinsli he claims Mean girls is "above most of the other teen movies out there." I would have to agree that Mean Girls clearly knows the ins and outs of teenage drama. Critic Christopher Zinsli starts off his review by explaining to us what mean girls is all about. He explains how by watching the movie, we undergo a therapy session regarding backstabbing and name calling. Mean girls pertains to four high school girls part of a group called "The Plastics". The plastics consist of Regina, Gretchen, Karen and Cady. Cady was the new girl in school and comes up with a scheme with two unpopular kids to bring down the queen bee of the group, Regina George. The take down of Regina ends up creating a whole mess of drama within the whole high school between the girls of the eleventh grade. The plastics kept a burn book of offensive things about everyone in the eleventh grade. The book gets out to the public and is distributed in the hallways. This creates a giant cat fight between all the girls. In the end the conflict is resolved and the girls learn their lesson that backstabbing will come back to you in the end. You really get a good look at how cruel girls can be to one another and how difficult high school can really be. I agree with film critic Christopher Zinsli, Mean girls is a "step in the right direction."

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

In the 2004 film review of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Roger Ebert brings up the main characters name, Clementine and Joel, in the first paragraph and briefly states what they are trying to do in the film. He focuses on the purpose of the film, which is for Clementine and Joel to erase each other from their memory, and refers to the film as an “example of Maze Cinema, that style in which the story coils back upon itself”. With that being said he goes on to talking about the scientific procedure that both Clementine and Joel go though but does not really describe them “ because it would not only be unfair to reveal the plot but probably impossible.” It would be impossible because of Maze Cinema style of the movie he mentioned earlier. Ebert also talks about the we-known director Michel Gondry and his past film “Human Nature”. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a film that you have to pay attention to at all times or you will not fully comprehend it but Roger Ebert is right, “Despite jumping through the deliberately disorienting hoops of its story, “ "Eternal Sunshine" has an emotional center, and that's what makes it work.” Closing his review he describes the opposite characters of Clementine and Joel and what it is that makes their characters work. If you are someone who enjoys romance films then you just might like "Eternal Sunshine".

Reviewing the classics: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One flew over the cuckoo's nest is a classic in its time, 1975, and even today. The movie takes on some tough social norms through the lives of the mental patients. All of the patients have their own reasons for being there but it's not until McMurphy, played by Jack Nicholoson, comes to help them become "men." Nurse Ratched imposes her ways of "curing" them but not till McMurphy do the patients have any break-through with getting better. "I was present at its world premiere, at the 1975 Chicago Film Festival, in the 3,000-seat Uptown Theatre, and have never heard a more tumultuous reception for a film (no, not even during "E.T." at Cannes). After the screening, the young first-time co-producer, Micheal Douglas, wandered the lobby in a daze", as said by reviewer Roger Ebert many years after the movie first premiered. This is a classic that should be seen by everyone at least once.

Fracture

The movie Fracture makes us spectators to the match of wits between a young hotshot prosecutor Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling) and a brilliant and cunning engineer Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins). The movie simply pulls you in with its ingenious plot and doesn’t let you look away for a second. Rolling Stone labels it "a twist-a-minute thriller." In the thriller Willy underestimates Crawford initially and then is forced to go into an all or nothing cat and mouse game , with very highs stakes on the line. However the movie is not flawless, Hopkins performance for instance is almost copy and pasted from the early Hannibal series and the whole movie plot does not seem plausible. For what it loses with Hopkins, at times sleepy, performance it makes up with how keenly the movie keeps us waiting for the next twist. "That grinding noise you hear is the script shifting gears," as the Rolling Stone puts it. In the end Rolling Stone describes the movie as "diabolical fun," and I can’t agree more.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

I found a review by Roger Ebert. He summarizes the film and says his opinion about the film. He quotes, "The usefulness of her four-story structure is that none of the stories overstays its welcome, and the four girls aren't trapped in the same dumb suburban teenage romantic plot. They live, and they learn" (Ebert. Roger). In the first paragraph, he examines a scene of the film where all the characters are together. He arises rhetorical questions on the scene moments before the plots. In the fourth paragraph, he focuses on each main character or the four actresses and talks about previous films they were in (history/background). He compares different roles the actresses have previously played. In the fifth paragraph, Ebert criticizes a film genre and makes a positive note about Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. He also tells us that the movie was based off of a novel. In the sixth through ninth paragraphs, he focuses on each character's role in the film with lots of detail and context.

John McCane: No mask, no cape, no problem

Life Free or Die Hard is much less like the Die Hard movies before it. Instead, John McCane, played by the imfamous Bruce Willis, has to transport hacker Matt Farrell, played by Justin Long, who is said to have a connection with and attack on the United States. As it turns out, the computer geek is himself just one of the many targets that unknowingly helped the bad guys in their plot to take over.
The acting is satisfactory, the plot is suspenseful and the dialogue is decent. But it really is all about the stunts, and they do no disappoint. "Live Free or Die Hard is rediculous or may-be even rediculously fun non-stop action movie," says movie reviewer Peter Sciretta. And personally, I'd have to agree. Even with the first Die Hard movie back in the 1980's, Bruce Willis still plays the indeliable, indestructable action icon with one-hundred percent credibility.

Love Me If You Dare? : Or Maybe Not ...

Love Me If You Dare is a witty French love story of two young Parisians, Julien and Sophie, who first meet in grade school when they are eight years old and continue to have an everlasting friendship, and eventually love affair. They go through many obstacles together as they grow up and experience new things, and are lead in very different directions. However, no matter how far apart they are in life they are bonded forever because of a childhood pact and game they play with each other which is a series of dares they make, and must accomplish. The first time I saw this movie I fell in love with it because of its strong similarities to the French film Amelie, but unfortunately Roger Ebert did not share those feelings with me. He quotes the movie as "Strangely frustrating." The part I found interesting is how the lovers still end up together despite the fact that they have many things going on, and they break the norm for how they really should not be together, but of course they eventually do. Ebert however feels that the characters are unrealistic, he says, "But at the end, I didn't like them. In fact, reader, I loathed them... What I do know is that the movie is strangely frustrating, because Julien and Sophie
choose misery and obsession as a lifestyle, and push far beyond reason." Do you dare to love this film? Ebert only gave this film two stars, but it definitely is a five star movie in my book.

A Walk to Remember:A Small Treasure

In a review done by Roger Ebert in 2002, he called A Walk to Remember "corny at times, but corniness is all right at times." Roger Ebert is a reviewer for the "Chicago Sun-times" and on Saturday night, him and another reviewer, Roeper, review movies that came out that same weekend. Ebert became the first recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for film criticism in 1975.In his online review about A Walk to Remember, Ebert says " After all of the vulgar crudities of the typical modern teenage movie, here is one that looks closely, pays attention, sees that not all teenagers are as cretinous as Hollywood portrays them." In this review, Ebert describes the actors in detail and the convincing performances they gave. He also describes how the movie went wrong three times, but it still had its romance, faith and values established in its core.

300- "...overblown with hyperbole"

"This film shows us why they did not let Robert E. Howard write history books and why they did not allow Frank Frazetta to illustrate them."

With that witty, sarcastic line, Mark R. Leeper begins his brutal disection of the film 300. Indeed 300 is a manifesto of the macho/action slasher film genre. The movie tells the gory story of 300 Spartan soldiers fighting the giant Persian army in the famous Battle of Thermopylae.

Leeper quickly sounds off on the movie's flaws. He does not like the acting, the story, or the fan-acclaimed visual work. Despite the enormous amount of hyped up advertising and visual graphic work that went into this film production, Leeper is not convinced that 300 is a worth while film. "The visual images are done sloppily so that they do not make sense" says Leeper.

Aside from that, Leeper also questions the historical accuracy of the film, saying, "I do not remember anybody in history ever using a rhinoceros in battle...", referring to the portrayal of Persian King, Xerxes, sending rhinos and elephants into battle.

Finally, Leeper also takes an issue with the film's "amateurish" script, which he claims resembles scripts from movies such as Goldfinger. All things considered, it is safe to assume that Leeper thinks quite low of 300, and thus it is easy to see why it received only a 6/10 rating in his review.

The Prestige (2006)

This is an in depth film review for the thrilling 2006 movie "The Prestige". The review is written by A.O. Scott in the New York Times. The movie is about two competing magicians in the turn of the 20th century who try to beat each other out by perfroming mind-blowing magic tricks. A.O. Scott says, "Stuffed with hard-working actors, sleek effects and stagy period details, "The Prestige"... is an intricate and elaborate machine designed for the simple purpose of diversion".

Harsh Times

Harsh Times is one of my favorite movies as it takes us on a crazy adventure through the streets of Los Angeles, while we watch Jim Davis and Mike Alonzo cruise around looking for trouble. In his review, Peter Canavese compares harsh times to an earlier movie made by the same director, Training Day. Canavese writes, “Training Day came off as justifiably pleased with its own adrenaline-junkie theatrics, while Harsh Times seems less eager to revel in its nasty business: drinking and driving, theft, road rage, trippy PTSD nightmares, and realistic shit-shooting amongst men.” Although it is probably not the best movie to show your kids, I found it to be action packed and exciting as you can never tell what is going to happen next. Canvese then goes on to summarize the movie and criticize the main characters. In the end he concludes by putting the movie in context of the war in Iraq.

DISTURBIA

Distrubia is a movie that takes its viewers on an emotional roller coaster ride. This movie has made people laugh, jump, scream, and feel anxious all at the same time. In the Times Magazine, Dennis Lim writes about the movie’s various actions, twists, and events. “The snooping hero starts out with binoculars, but his techniques soon involve a tripod-mounted surveillance camcorder and a fuzzy live feed via cell phone camera.” Writes Dennis Lim. As the quote suggests, this movie is compiled with suspense, livelihood, technology, and thrill. Being one of my favorite movies, I have seen it many times; however, every time I watch this movie I find myself just as anxious and uptight as the first time I saw it. Distrubia is not only entertaining to adolescents, but to a wide spread of audience. Furthermore, it’s a movie the whole family can enjoy!!

American Beauty: A Bust?

Anthony Leong's criticism of the film, American Beauty, suggests its one well presented character isn't going to bring the film justice. Commenting on the "thematically-ambiguous" value of the film, he portrays the point of life insights to be poorly illustrated. The list of well-known and respected actors doesn't save the film from its themes withdrawal; however, Leong implies that Thora Birch's character, Jane Burnham, is the only role that draws you in until the end. Through witty dialogue, the story gets your attention, but it's hard to "root" for the characters because of there crude eccentricities. The director, Sam Mendes, falls short when trying to interpret the rude awakening of the American Dream, leaving one to commit to their own philosophies.

The Warriors

One of my all-time favorite movies would have to be "The Warriors". With non stop action and thrilling suspense what isn't there to love. Robert Ebert unfortunately, was able to find things not to like about the movie. Ebert starts and ends by criticizing director Walter Hill because he isn't original. He goes on by saying that "The Warriors" felt like "Hard Times", another movie directed by Hill, due to the camera angles and that "when the characters talk, they seem to be inhabiting a tale rehearsed many times before". All in all he says it was a decent movie and gave it two stars. In my view it deserved at least three stars, sure the acting may sound a little over rehearsed but for being made in 1979, the acting is good and the storyline couldn't be better.

Im Gonna Git You!

One of my all time favorite movies is I'm Gonna Git You Sucka because of its jokes and somwhat reality in urban culture. Even though it was made to relive the 70's and I really cant relate to it, there are some parts that still go on today that they made comical( Fastest car washer, fastest grand theft auto) and they tried to make i seem less serious. Damon, Keenen Wayons, Issac Hayes and Jim Brown headline this movie that make the audience who ever catch this movie laugh out their seats...

Best Quote: Flyguy (Played by Antonio Fargas) at comedy sketch:My bitch better have my money/Through rain, sleet, or snow/My whore better have my money/Not half, not some, but all my cash/'Cause if she don't,/I'm gonna put my foot in her ass.(imdb.com)

Star Wars Episode 1

This review was written by Jeremy Conrad on September 11, 2001. It takes a while for Mr. Conrad to get to the point but he finally does"When the movie opens, the Trade Federation has blockaded a peaceful planet known as Naboo. This is part of an elaborate scheme by the future Emperor, Senator Palpatine, to gain power and a higher seat in the Republic. Of course thanks to a guise of Lord Sidious the Senator can remain innocent in the eyes of the main players in the story, thus "The Phantom Menace".

Training Day

In Entertainment Weekly's review of the movie Training Day, author Owen Gleibermann cuts to the point very quickly. In the first paragrah he begins to criticize Denzel's performance as an actor, and then goes on to give the character profile of Alonzo Harris, Washington's character. "It's one of Denzel Washington's trademarks to cruise along on a vibe of foxy good humor. In Training Day, he does it ironically. He plays a show-off bad guy like a movie star who is so eager to play a show-off bad guy that he wants you to revel in his every fancy low-dog move." (Owen Gleibermann, Dirty Harris) In the same way does the author describe the supporting character Jake Hoyt, who is played by Ethan Hawke. As you read on, events in the plot line are revealed and once again, criticized by the writer.

Elf a B+?

According to this review the critics gave Elf a B+. Elf featured Will Ferrell as the main character (Buddy) of this comedy. Buddy is actually a human that happens to crawl up into Santa Claus' toy sack. As Buddy grows older, he realizes that he doesn't belong with the other elves." Santa sends Buddy on quest to find his true father. Buddy finds himself in this new world which is Manhattan. The cultural barrier is too overwhelming for Buddy, but he makes the best of it. He really doesn't understand the background of Manhattan which makes this movie ten times more funnier. For instance, Buddy walks down the intersection thinking that it was normal and get hit by a taxi. That scene in particular was an A+ material. The scene was genius. As Buddy skips along a jolly Christmas song is played, but when he gets hit the music stops. All of a sudden he gets back up with a different camera angle. Then Buddy walks away like nothing happens. It was a good technique that they used. Even though it was a comedy the camera angles and the use of music was perfectly used. It wasn't only the great camera angles that made this movie so great. It was especially because the role that Will Ferrell rightfully suited the character. The script that was written was remarkable. According to the website http://www.hdfest.com/Annesreviews/elf_anne.html, they gave the movie straight A+. This includes the story, acting, visuals, and originality. In my opinion I would most definitely have to agree with these critics. According to movieeye.com, "may be too goofy for its own good." I would have to say that they have no idea what they are talking about. It is a comedy, it is supposed to be "goofy." Clearly movieeye.com has no idea what they are criticizing.

Elf a B+?

According to this review the critics gave Elf a B+. Elf featured Will Ferrell as the main character (Buddy) of this comedy. Buddy is actually a human that happens to crawl up into Santa Claus' toy sack. As Buddy grows older, he realizes that he doesn't belong with the other elves." Santa sends Buddy on quest to find his true father. Buddy finds himself in this new world which is Manhattan. The cultural barrier is too overwhelming for Buddy, but he makes the best of it. He really doesn't understand the background of Manhattan which makes this movie ten times more funnier. For instance, Buddy walks down the intersection thinking that it was normal and get hit by a taxi. That scene in particular was an A+ material. The scene was genius. As Buddy skips along a jolly Christmas song is played, but when he gets hit the music stops. All of a sudden he gets back up with a different camera angle. Then Buddy walks away like nothing happens. It was a good technique that they used. Even though it was a comedy the camera angles and the use of music was perfectly used. It wasn't only the great camera angles that made this movie so great. It was especially because the role that Will Ferrell rightfully suited the character. The script that was written was remarkable. According to the website http://www.hdfest.com/Annesreviews/elf_anne.html, they gave the movie straight A+. This includes the story, acting, visuals, and originality. In my opinion I would most definitely have to agree with these critics. According to movieeye.com, "may be too goofy for its own good." I would have to say that they have no idea what they are talking about. It is a comedy, it is supposed to be "goofy." Clearly movieeye.com has no idea what they are criticizing.

Rush Hour 3

The Rush Hour 3 review was written by Roger Ebert that he gave two stars on his website. After six years, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan were still playing the LAPD Carter and Hong Kong cop Lee roles. This time, one of Lee 's old pals,Ambassador Han is giving an important speech in Los Angeles Criminal Tribunal for the world summit. In Han's speech, he would expose a Chinese triad (the world's foremost crime groups). When Carter heard the Korean Ambassador Han had been shot in the radio, Carter decided to help Lee to find the shooter and the Chinese triad. They went to Paris by the evidences they found and fought with the Chinese triad on the Eiffel Tower. Roger Ebert said "there is a pursuit up and down the tower, with Jackie Chan doing the usual impossible things".