28 Days Later

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Brendan Gleeson, Megan Burns

Runtime: 113 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5

My Synopsis: About a group of survivors trying to stay alive as long as possible, searching for other survivors and a safehaven, while a "Rage" virus has contaminated all of England and more. The longer they are alive, the more hopeless each begins to feel in the world of zombie-like madness surrounding them, until they get a signal on their radio of a man named West, who says he has an answer to the infection. From there on, they regain hope and are determined to reach the safe point where West is..

Review: My favorite horror movie of all time, for many reasons; one being the fact that it's not just some mindless, plotless, all out gorefest with stupid characters and bad acting. On that note, the acting is suprisingly good from mostly unknowns at the time and you really like/hate the characters and actually care for them or want them to get what's coming to them. This is a different, unique take on horror. One of the best of its kind. It shows the human nature and what they would do to survive in a situation like this... the limits they are pushed to, some being extreme. The infected aren't the only problems they face and you will see what I'm talking about when you watch the film. It's part drama, part horror and a damn good mix at that. Danny Boyle directs with gritty style using a handheld digital camera and a low budget, and I gotta say, it's very well done and Boyle knows how to use his budget wisely. Some will complain about the picture quality, but I think it adds to the realism and grittiness of the film. Kudos to Boyle! Cillian Murphy, in his first starring role, does an exquisit job of putting the fear and determination into his character Jim. Naomie Harris shines as the fearless Selena, and Christopher Eccleston is strong as Major Henry West. Brendan Gleeson's role stands out a bit, as he plays Frank, a father who will do anything in his power to keep his daughter, Hannah, safe. Megan Burns plays Hannah, who is the only slight complaint I have as I found her acting a little wooden, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this intense, brutal horror masterpiece. I'll always look forward to Danny Boyle's work, as some of my favorites are Trainspotting, Sunshine, this and Slumdog Millionaire. I should also give kudos to Alex Garland as he is writer of this film and Sunshine. I don't know if he wrote the others, to be honest and I should know! I'm not gonna spoil a thing but the last half hour of the film gets pretty intense and thought-provoking, thus adding to the intensity is a chilling score by Brian Eno. I can definately see something like this happening in real life... if a situation like this were to happen, of course. This is a film driven by story and well-developed characters rather than just a slice-and-dice zombie flick, but also manages to be very gory at the same time, so gorehounds will not be disappointed either. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland know how to do a horror film. Bravo, guys, bravo!

In Bruges

Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy

Runtime: 107 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5

My Synopsis: Atfer a hit in London goes awry, two Irish hitmen Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are told to hide out in Bruges (it's in Belgium!) by crime boss Harry Waters (hilariously played by Ralph Fiennes) to lay low for a while till things clear up. What was meant to be a simple sight-seeing tour turns into hilarity, while both men question life and death and whether or not continue a life of crime.

Review: The most cleverly written, underrated movie of 2008, and also my personal favorite of 2008, In Bruges is full of witty dialogue around every corner, right from the opening to the very end. I was never a fan of Colin Farrell, but jeez, the man can do comedy very well! His lines were delivered perfectly and I found him very amusing in this film and would love to see him do more comedies. I'm serious, just about EVERY line he delivers is funny and spot-on. He was perfectly cast as the distraught Ray, trying cope after an incident that involved the hit made in London, which is the main reason they are In Bruges in the first place (very important). Brendan Gleeson is in his best role here. He was robbed of an oscar nomination for this role, I think. He plays the calm, professional Ken, who acts as a father figure to Ray, as he just wants Ray to enjoy the little things in life by trying to show him around the town and its many sights and reassuring him that he is still not a bad person after what had happened and that life is worth every bit you've got. Midway through the film, Ken is put to the test when Harry wants him to do one more job, thus ultimately leading down to him or Ray. That's the turning point of the film as it takes a little more of a serious tone, but still manages to uphold its comedy level above the drama level, and that's one of the main reasons I love this film. It never takes itself too seriously nor loses its touch of comedy. Now for Ralph Fiennes, he was my favorite character in the film. He doesn't appear until about the hour and five minute mark, in which case, makes one of the most unexpected, in-your-face appearances ever. This scene alone had me laughing hysterically! From there on, the last half hour or so, is the best in my opinion. Cause once Ralph Fiennes enters the picture, it gets even more funny and twisted thanks to the brilliant script. Hilarity and chaos ensues in the last bit of the film, where suprisingly, it gets unexpectedly violent. For all three stars of the film, their roles are my favorite they've done so far! The film is slow-paced, but don't let that fool you as the movie progresses to get better and better and that's a promise!

The Road

Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi-Smit McPhee, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron, and Guy Pearce

Runtime: 111 Minutes

Rating: 4.2 out of 5

My Synopsis: About a father and son who journey across a post-apocalyptic wasteland America, which was destoryed by an unknown cataclysm. The goal: head south. Simple as that.

Review: "The Road" is not a movie for everyone. It's dark, it's depressing, it's slow. It's also one of the most engaging, emotional, well-acted films of the year. The movie opens with The Father (excellently played by Viggo Mortensen, should have at least got an oscar nom. for this role) waking up one night to see that the world outside is engulfed in flames, so he runs a bath for the water that he and his wife (Charlize Theron) are going to need later. Flashforward to present day... From there on, you have no idea what is gonna happen. That's the suspenseful part about it. You don't know who or what is gonna come or if it's good or bad. The duo are pretty much the only good people left in the world, while everyone else has turned to cannibalism and lost their humanity. The movie shows a deep connection of a father's love for his only son and the limits he is pushed to to protect him from anything at all costs. Throughout the film, it shows how much he loves his boy, but also starts slowly losing his mind day by day. And here's where some people complain about Kodi-Smit McPhee's acting, that he whines too much to his dad about his not-so-good choices, but the way I see it and to the best of my knowledge, he was reminding his father that they are still good people and not to go through with it... You'll see what I mean when you watch the film, I can't explain it in words. The Road also consists of flashbacks with the wife in the first 30 minutes or so, until something happens obviously, as she is not with them in the present day (be ready for that certain scene cause it is one of the most heart-breaking scenes I've seen in a while). The movie is very slow-paced, which I didn't mind at all as I was too distracted by Mr. Mortensen's phenomenal acting, as well as Smit-McPhee and Charlize Theron. Viggo Mortensen just gets better and better with each role he is casted. This is my favorite role he's done so far! His range of character in this film is everywhere! You really feel for him, as he just wants to keep his son out of harms way, teaching him to defend himself and make choices on his own cause "he won't be around forever," as the father says. Kodi-Smit McPhee is a new-comer and I can already see he has a good future in film. Charlize Theron is great as always and captures the mood of their situation, as she has lost her mind and treats Viggo like crap. Robert Duvall, can never complain about, even in the smallest roles. John Hillcoat directs with confidence and excellent cinematography, as well as a great score. Everything feels real when you are watching the film, and you connect with all the characters and hope the best for them. That is why I love this movie... It made me "feel" deep down inside and movies don't usually do that to me. My only complaint is the ending felt unfinished and open-ended, but PLEASE don't let that spoil the whole movie for you.