Side Effects

Side Effects
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Steven Soderbergh [IMDB]

Steven Soderbergh gets a lot of love on this site, if fact he may be the most reviewed. I really enjoy his filmography and consider him one of the more consistant directors working today. So when I heard this was going to be his last film (I have a feeling it won't be)  it made me excited to see how he'd send us off.

Synopsis: After a young wife's husband is released from prison, she combats her depression with a new drug that has some interesting side effects... as the title would have one believe.

Side Effects is a really interesting title. It has a big Hitchcock vibe to it and it takes a pretty huge turn about half way through it. It's almost better that you go in not knowing much about the film, I think it'll make for a better experience. Rooney Mara and Jude Law are impressive but Catherine Zeta Jones and Channing Tatum seemed a little average. Stylewise, I loved this movie, as I normally do with a Soderbergh joint.

I'd definitely recommend this if you're in the mood for a good thriller. It's worth your time.

Peter Pan

Peter Pan
(1953) [Trailer]
Directors: Clyde Geronimi [IMDB], Wilfred Jackson [IMDB], Hamilton Luske [IMDB]

This week saw the arrival of Disney's animated classic Peter Pan on the most superior format available for your viewing pleasure... blu-ray disc. Being an avid collector and lover of all things Disney... you know I picked it up... here's the review.

Synopsis: Who the hell doesn't know the story of Peter Pan?

I haven't seen Peter Pan since I was playing hide and go seek and believed in Santa Claus. It's a classic tale that has been retold a few different times, but this has always been my favorite version. This isn't a perfect movie, but pretty fun and effective for what it is. I also didn't realize how much of a hater Tinker Bell was, she basically tries to kill Wendy at one point... it's pretty interesting.

The animation still holds up and looks flawless on blu-ray... mainly to do with Disney's superior transfer method of sourcing straight from the digital masters used to create the original film. If you're fan of Disney animation, this title is a must.

More Tarantino: Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Inglorious Basterds

If you haven't seen these films already, I feel bad for you. For me, this review is more of a way to showcase my love for these titles on the blog. I'm not going to get too deep into the minutia of these movies, instead, I'm just going to talk about how they relate to me and why I enjoy them so much.

Reservoir Dogs
(1992) [Trailer]
Director: Quentin Tarantino [IMDB]

I could lie and say this is the first Tarantino film I ever saw and make myself out to be some cool guy, but as many of my friends know, I can be late to the party sometimes. That's right, I saw Pulp Fiction first and immediately headed out to get my hands on anything Quentin related afterwards. Reservoir Dogs is just as rad now as it was when I first saw it back in the 90's. This and Pulp Fiction are probably Tarantino's two strongest films when it comes to dialogue, but the story here is much simpler than Pulp. Tarantino has many strengths as a director and one of them is finding the perfect cast to deliver his writing. Everyone in Res Dogs is amazing, especially Harvey Keitel and Tim Roth. The biggest stand out moment for me is the lead up and execution of the commode story.

Pulp Fiction.
(1994) [Trailer]
Director: Quentin Tarantino [IMDB]

Pulp Fiction is one of the greatest films ever made.... take that and chew on it. If you dont agree, fine... but for me, it is a perfect film and one of my favorites to watch on a regular basis. There are too many memorable scenes and performances but I'm gonna try and make a top five.

5. The watch story as told by Christopher Walken
4. Vincent blowing Marvin's face off.
3. Butch and Marsellus' capture and escape from the rednecks
2. Jules and Vincent's conversation about foot massages.
1. Jules interrogating then executing Brett.

Inglourious Basterds
(2009) [Trailer]
Director: Quentin Tarantino [IMDB]

I love WWII films. Some of my favorites are Das Boot, The Thin Red Line, and Saving Private Ryan. When I heard Tarantino was doing a film set in occupied France during the 1940's, I was pumped. I remember watching this for the first time and thinking it was a modern masterpiece. The first 20 minutes of this film are incredible. Christoph Waltz is a beast of an actor and Chapter One of Inglorious Basterds showcases that fact. Hans Landa's Pipe makes we want to take up smoking. There are many awesome scenes in this film, one of my favorites is the story of Hugo Stiglitz, narrated by Samuel L Jackson. There are tons of other great moments, but I'll save you from another list. Just watch it already.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2

Quentin Tarantino is one of my all time favorite directors. I think a lot of people also share my sentiments and if they don't, they can piss off. Pulp Fiction, for me, was one of the main reasons I started getting into art house and independent cinema. After checking out his recent masterpiece, I think I may go back a revisit some of the greats... I'll start with Kill Bill.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1
(2003) [Trailer]
Director: Quentin Tarantino [IMDB]

Synopsis: A bride (Uma) wakes to find that she's been in a coma for 4 years and now must enact vengeance on the people responsible for ruining her life.

Kill Bill is highly entertaining and wastes no time strapping you in and kicking things into high gear. The first fight scene with Vivica A Fox is awesome and the intermission scene once the daughter arrives is a welcome curveball. There's plenty of homages to other films and genres, one that is glaringly obvious is Bruce Lee. The Cato masks and the yellow track suit pull the nostalgia card and warms my cold lifeless heart.

I'd say the only thing I dislike would be the anime scene. It doesn't work at all for me and drags on way too long.

Other than that, Kill Bill is like a Chucky Cheese to a 6 year old... a good time.

Kill Bill: Vol. 2
(2004) [Trailer]
Director: Quentin Tarantino [IMDB]

Synopsis: The bride is back to finish the job.

This is the continuation of part 1 basically but I think it's a stronger film. There's some outstanding dialog and performances.... especially from David Caradine, Michael Parks, and Michael Madsen. There are more great fights scenes and a cool training montage with Pai Mei... again harking back to the old kung fu flicks of the 70's and 80's.

SPOILER: Bill's death is handled so well. There's obviously foreshadowing earlier in the film to what will take place, but I thought it was cool that Tarantino went right for the kill, verses dragging it out through a long drawl out fight scene. END SPOILER

Definitely invest some time in Kill Bill if you haven't done so already. Love it.