The Hateful Eight

This is the first movie I saw in theaters for 2016 and I’m so glad I got to see it with a friend of mine. I’m a big fan of Tarantino movies and I had heard a variety of reviews, so I was definitely interested in seeing it.

I would most describe the film as a murder mystery western. The film mainly takes place in a stagecoach stopover called Minnie’s Haberdashery, where eight people seek shelter from a blizzard. But then the characters begin to realize that one of them is not who they say they are and this person may have nefarious intentions. 

What I enjoyed most about the film was the acting. Tarantino has always done a good job of writing great dialogue for his characters and this film definitely contains that. Each character stands out and all the performances were great. My particular favorites were Daisy Domergue (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who received a Golden Globe nomination for this role) and Major Warren (played by Samuel L. Jackson), though everyone else did a great job. The acting was what kept the film progressing and they never blurred together or fell into the background.

While I did enjoy the acting, the movie just didn’t “wow” me like many of his other films. The movie is just over 3 hours, and there were points when you could definitely feel that it was a long movie. Though the length of the movie allowed for the slow build-up of events in the narrative, it just felt really long. And because the movie mainly took place in the haberdashery, much of the movie relied on dialogue and less on action and scenes that didn’t really add much to the story, which did at points make me feel like this movie was going to be a really long one. The slow story definitely allowed for the building of conflict and the fleshing out of the characters, which allows viewers to try and figure out who the murderer is, but other than that, it just made me feel the length of the film. 

Overall, I did enjoy this movie, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as his other films. The film definitely felt long, and it took a long time for things to happen. Though the slowness let characters be developed over time, some of it could have been cut down. Don’t get me wrong, the acting was great and it was an intriguing story, but I just can’t rate it as highly as I would his other films. If you have never seen a Tarantino film before, I do warn you to be prepared for scenes of bloody violence. The violence is not as consistently present as it is in his other films, but it does begin to pick up about halfway through. I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys Tarantino and I would love to hear what you all think of this film and how it falls in your ranking of Tarantino films, feel free to let me know in the comments below!

If you’re curious about my rating of this film in terms of stars, you can check out my 2016 Film Diary located in the right sidebar.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_UI1GzaWv0

Guardians of the Galaxy

I went to go see this recently with one of my best friends. The film was getting good reviews, but I tried not to go in with really high expectations. I didn't go see this movie in 3D, but it did seem like it could be pretty cool in 3D, but I also think it could be pretty nauseating during some of the more heavy action scenes, so I would say invest in the extra dimension at your own discretion.

While I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi films, this movie was an exception for the genre. Though the movie takes place in various planets and places in the galaxy, it was never too absurd and the straightforward plot helped make sure it wasn't too confusing or overwhelming. If you're not sure if a Marvel sci-fi movie is for you, I would recommend checking out the Thor movies and/or The Avengers. These movies add a decent amount of sci-fi elements to the plot (and the Thor movies largely take place on other planets). The only other thing I would recommend is Thor: The Dark World does contain a mid-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy, so if you get through to that, you can kind of get an idea of what this movie may be like. You don't need to see any of the previous Marvel movies in order to understand what goes on in this movie, but if you are interested in appreciating some of the details that they mention, watching The Avengers and the two Thor movies would be my recommendation. That being said, if you are a Marvel fan, they do tie in other Marvel movies and details from them for fans to appreciate.

What I enjoyed most about the film was that the main characters were all different and stood out from each other while being well-acted. Though all the characters were great, Chris Pratt (who plays Peter Quill) was definitely my favorite out of the Guardians. He acted his character so well in my personal opinion, that it didn't even seem like he was acting, just having a great time singing to classic songs and sassing a lot of the other characters in the movie. I also enjoyed that the plot was simple to understand, yet well-done and entertaining. The humor was present throughout the whole movie, which really kept it light and helped balance out the more serious moments in the movie (which were also well-done). Though this film had the standard big bad, borderline generic, villain (played by Lee Pace), it allowed for more attention to be sent towards the Guardians, who were more complex and had a stronger onscreen presence.

Overall, I really enjoyed the film and was really entertained by it. It had great moments of humor, action, and serious moments as well. The soundtrack of the movie is also a really great element in the film. It contains classic songs from the 70s and 80s (which is much of what I grew up listening to), and after leaving the theater, I can honestly say that I had the soundtrack on repeat for a long time. The movie had a straightforward plot that helped make sure the setting was never too overwhelming, and the main characters were well-acted and unique. I recommend checking this movie out if you're looking for a fun movie to see or if you really enjoy Marvel movies.

*There is an ending credits scene, but no mid-credits scene that other Marvel movies tend to have. Most of the ending credits scenes are usually just funny scenes or don't really contribute to the plot. This ending scene falls under this, it's nothing really mind-blowing, but you can stick it out to see it if you want.*

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTZ2Tp9yXyM

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

I really enjoyed the first Amazing Spider-Man film, so I was really excited to see the sequel even though it was getting mediocre reviews. My friends and I decided to see it as our one last fun thing before our finals week began. We even decided to go see it in 3D because it looked like a cool movie to see in 3D in comparison to other movies that have been released in the summer so far.

Though I happened to enjoy the first movie, I found the majority of this movie to be lacking in comparison. The biggest issue I had with this movie is that there were way to many villains for just one film. Though they did give an adequate enough background on each villain in the movie, it still felt like there was too much going on, and sometimes felt like there was a lot of remembering of what did Peter do to this guy again? Even though there was a lot of villainy going on, Dane Dehaan, who plays Harry Osborn, plays his character with complexity and emotion, that you really see and understand his transition into the person he becomes later in the movie.

What I did enjoy about this movie was the chemistry between Peter Parker (played by Andrew Garfield) and Gwen Stacy (played by Emma Stone). They really bounce jokes off of each other and help to keep the film grounded at points when the movie tends to drift towards lots of action.The 3D was also utilized better than other films that I had recently seen in 3D. Sometimes the 3D can be a little dizzying during the heavy action scenes but I enjoyed the use of it overall.

All in all, while I did enjoy this movie but I was also disappointed in the same way. This movie, in comparison to the first, felt like more of a set-up for the upcoming third movie than being able to stand alone in this franchise. While the acting was pretty much well-done across the board, the plot could have used some work to make it an easier transition between movies yet make it stand alone as it's own movie. While most of the villains had decently ironed out backstories, there were too many villains for just this one movie. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in seeing the sequel to the first Amazing Spider-Man movie and anyone who enjoys superhero movies.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbp3Ra3Yp74

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

After seeing this movie I have to say that I liked this one a lot more that the first (Captain America: The First Avenger). It had a much more detailed and entertaining plot and the characters that were returning really grew and new characters were well-developed.

While the first Captain America film was mostly a set up for The Avengers, this sequel really aimed to show Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) more transitioned into modern society. What I also enjoyed about this movie was how the plot focused on a much more realistic idea: government corruption and paranoia, which are things we all fear and read about in our modern society. Instead of having one major big bad villain, it's a bit more complicated, which is something you don't see a lot in superhero movies today and was something I really enjoyed in watching this movie.

What I will say is that I recommend watching the first Captain America film before watching this one. There are a lot of plot points and other references that are made that watching the first film will help make more sense of. The other thing I would say is that I saw this movie in 3D, and the 3D didn't really do anything or add anything special to to film. I know that this movie is now out of theaters, but I would say that I wouldn't waste money on the 3D version.

Overall, I definitely think this Captain America film is a real step up from the first one and may be one of the best movies that has been put out by Marvel in recent years. I would really recommend watching it if you get the chance, it has a great amount of action that is equally equated with a well-developed set of characters and plot. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good action movie or someone who really enjoys superhero movies.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SlILk2WMTI

The Lego Movie

What I will first say about The Lego Movie is the fact that it did live up to the hype and good reviews that it was given. The animation was really cool and interesting because it really matched with how Legos are assembled in reality and the plot really does appeal to both kids and adults.

While this film is mostly geared towards children, there are messages and satire in this film that adults can take away from it too. Though the some of the messages in this movie are a bit cliched, the movie times them well enough where they fit right in with the story and adds a sort of powerful effect to what is going on in the film. There is also a large amount of satire and messages that poke fun on American society as a whole, whether it be from the quick scenes of overpriced coffee or the larger message of conformity and control that stand out in the beginning of the film but also plays out throughout the entire plot. This movie can be read on many levels, which is what sticks with me still to this day.

The plot as a whole is interesting, following an ordinary guy named Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) who suddenly discovers that he is the central figure in a prophecy to stop the evil Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell). The humor and jokes throughout the film can be found as funny to both kids and adults and the characters in the film are all unique and very fleshed-out.

My only critique is the sometimes dizzying animation. I did go see this in 3D, and the effects weren't anything special. I really liked how the animation was a form of stop-motion, fitting really well with how Legos can be assembled or taken apart. There are points though, when this animation can get a bit nauseating, especially in 3D. There is one scene that takes place on open ocean, were it did at a point did make me feel like the animation was a bit too much for my eyes to take in.

Overall, I really enjoyed this film. The plot, though it was a bit cliched at times, was really fun and it was really interesting to be able to view the plot on so many different levels. The animation, though it was a bit dizzying at certain points in the movie, was really cool and matched really well with the idea of how Legos are used. I would really recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good movie to see with kids or something that is unique from most movies currently out there.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj4GeCk5SBk

Captain Phillips

The trailer for this movie makes the film look really intense, so I was a little skeptical in how suspenseful this movie could be before watching it the other day. This film is based on a true story that happened in 2009, but I did not recall much of the details from when it actually happened, so I didn't really have an idea of how it would end going into it.

This movie did a really good job of creating and keeping tension throughout. I found myself getting really nervous and tense for certain scenes, not knowing what would be the outcome. By the time the movie ended, I let out a sigh of relief, not because the movie was bad, but because I had tensed up so much because of what went on during the movie that I was finally able to relax. Tom Hanks does a really good job of portraying a person who is trying to stay strong while experiencing a dangerous situation. Barkhad Abdi (who plays the leader of the Somali pirates who hijack the ship) does a great job of creating a character who can be threatening but also adds a layer of desperation and sympathy to his character as well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. It did a good job of being very suspenseful yet grounded and realistic. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a movie that is based on current events and is looking for a good and suspenseful movie to watch.

Oscar nominee: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Barkhad Abdi), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp6jpeDeQmE

The Avengers

I just watched this recently with my sister because she had never seen it before. This is probably the 6th time I've seen this movie, and I still enjoy it.

The first time I saw this movie, I had not seen every movie that was made setting up for The Avengers.The movie does a good job of making sure that everything is pretty easy to understand, highlighting what moves the plot and having a clear-cut hero versus villain scenario. If you have not seen the movies that set up The Avengers, I would recommend watching Thor in order to understand the origin of Loki, who is the villain in The Avengers.

The plot of this movie is really well-done and entertaining. Each character stood out, and there was a lot of action to keep the plot moving.The villain was also well-played (portrayed by Tom Hiddleston), and it is easy to understand his motives in the movie.

Overall, I still really enjoy this movie. Each character is well-acted and stand out well as individual characters. The plot is pretty to understand and is well-paced. It's filled with a good amount of action that is fun to watch. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys superhero movies and is looking for a good action movie to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIR8Ar-Z4hw

Warm Bodies

My sister and I watched this recently as just something to do. We had both seen this movie before and enjoyed it, so we decided to watch it again.

I am not a big fan of horror movies, but I wouldn't really classify this one as part of that genre. Yes there is a bit of horror movie violence but it's not over the top. This movie is really much more of an unconventional love story, and though I'm not the biggest fan of chick flicks/romance movies, the storyline was really unique. It follows the tale of a zombie named R (played by Nicholas Hoult) who falls in love with a human girl (played by Teresa Palmer).

What I enjoyed about this movie was how the movie was narrated. Because R can't speak, the audience goes through the movie with R's internal point of view. His thoughts are easy to connect to and his point of view adds to the comedic parts of the movie. The movie has it's funny moments and it tends to stay on the lighter side of things. I also really liked how the movie was an interesting take on Romeo and Juliet, which can be seen through the characters names and certain events that occur throughout the movie.

Overall, I liked this movie and thought it was really interesting. While it was a romance movie and once and a while tended to have those usual cliches found in those kinds of movies, I liked how it was a different spin on that genre. I enjoyed the internal narration of R and how it really kept the plot moving. I thought this film was a unique one and I recommend it to anyone looking for a romance movie, a comedy, or just something interesting.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07s-cNFffDM

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

I saw this at midnight with a few of my good friends as a great way to end my birthday and because my friends and I are big fans of The Hobbit. Just a heads up though, this film picks up right where An Unexpected Journey ends, so I would highly recommend watching the first Hobbit movie before going to see this.

This movie was a great second part to The Hobbit trilogy. While the first film was light and on the happy side, this film goes darker. It explores the evil that was discovered in the first as well as explores the darkness that appears to be developing within each character. It was interesting to see how this contributed to the plot as a whole, and how you can see it affecting each character differently. I was especially impressed with the transition of Bilbo's character, going from the light and cheery hobbit and the growth he has in this film.

What was also great about this film was the action sequences and the new locations that appeared. The sequence in which the dwarves are floating in barrel is one of the best parts of the movie. A lot goes on during this, but the spectacle and the constant action kept me thrilled and on the edge of my seat. The locations of Lake Town and Mirkwood are standouts amongst the many locations that were studding and really added to the narrative. One of the other cool parts of this movie is the appearance of Smaug (played by Benedict Cumberbatch). The trailers of this film did a really good job of hiding Smaug's appearance, and when he finally appears in the movie, it is a sight to see. The entire sequence inside the mountain is really well done, and this in turn leads to a great conclusion of the film that makes you want to see the third film in the trilogy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. It was a great sequel that had really cool action sequences and was all together a well-made movie. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first film, anyone who liked the LOTR trilogy, and anyone who is looking to watch a good fantasy movie.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfflhfn1W-o

Contagion

My mom and I just watched this film just to pass the time. I noticed this at my local library, so I checked it out because it sounded interesting.

This movie was really interesting. It was intriguing to see the spreading of the disease and the panic that comes with it. It reminds you of the national panics of H1N1 and the Bird Flu and the widespread panic that these outbreaks caused. This film, while it shows the attempts and mission to find the cause and cure for the disease, mainly tracks the panic and fear that spreads throughout the American population.

There are a lot of characters in this movie. The film does a good job of making sure that the characters don't get confused, but if you aren't paying attention (as what happened to my mom when she fell asleep for 10 minutes or so) you can miss a new character that is introduced and/or miss something important that involves many characters. On the positive side, it was interesting to see the subplots that each character had and how each one contributed to the plot as a whole.

Overall, this movie was well done. The plot and narrative of the film did a good job of keeping me interested and the ending really leaves you with something to think about. The film does at points show how the disease spreads, so if you are any bit of a germaphobe, this movie could freak you out a bit. Even if you aren't germaphobic, this film does a good job of making you feel like you should wash your hands right after the credits roll. I really enjoyed this movie and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a dramatic and suspenseful movie.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sYSyuuLk5g

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I just watched this a couple days ago as something to do and as an attempt to get someone to watch these movies with me. Out of my whole family, I'm the only one who really likes the Lord of the Rings. I'm not a big fan of hardcore fantasy films, but these films are few of the exceptions.

I thought this film was a much lighter and happier film in comparison to the LOTR trilogy. There were lots of comedic moments, mostly coming from the dwarves, that lightened the mood. One would think it would be really hard to keep track who's who in the 13 dwarves, but they were all very unique which made them easy to separate from one another.While I most likely couldn't name all 13 (even though most of them rhyme with others and such) for you right now, the film gravitates to showing the ones you need to pay most attention to or draws focus to ones that say important lines. The other characters in this film are also well-acted, I especially enjoyed the characters of Bilbo (played by Martin Freeman) and Radagast (played by Sylvester McCoy).

The action in this movie was also really well-done. While my favorite scene is the dinner scene when you meet all of the dwarves, my favorite action sequences would have to be the major chase between the main characters and an Orc pack as well as the scene with the goblins. I wish I saw it in 3D to truly appreciate the hard work that went into these sequences, but they are still really great to watch in 2D.

If you are a fan of the LOTR trilogy and/or a fan of the books, this movie fits right in. It's great to see some characters from the trilogy appear in this film, but it is also great to see new characters that are well-portrayed.  I will say though, if you have never seen the LOTR trilogy, do not feel like you have to watch those in order to understand this film. This film (and the next two that will follow) is a prequel to what happens in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. My mom has never seen the LOTR trilogy, so references and characters that are made and seen in this one did not resonate with her but also did not confuse her when watching this film. I do recommend watching the original trilogy if you are interested in them, though, because they are really good films and you appreciate the references that are made in this movie.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. I would recommend this to anyone who likes the LOTR trilogy and fantasy films.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDnYMbYB-nU

12 Years A Slave

This film is based on the memoir by Solomon Northup of the same title. I had to read sections of it for my Tarantino course in order to understand a real description of slavery in comparison to Django Unchained. Reading Solomon's actual account made me want to see this film more than I had already wanted to.

This movie was really good. It was incredibly compelling and saddening to see the true story of Solomon Northup play out onscreen. Each character is portrayed extremely well, especially the characters of Solomon (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Edwin Epps (played by Michael Fassbender). Epps is the cruel slave owner that buys Solomon, and Fassbender does a good job of making you hate him.

While the movie is long, it never feels long because the plot keeps you interested with all of the events and incidents that happen to Solomon. There are moments where it gets really intense, whether there is violence involved or not. Where violence is involved, those scenes can be tough to get through. The film doesn't hold anything back, and it really shows you the brutality that slaves faced during the time in which slavery was legal in America. This film also tugs at your emotions, you really feel the pain Solomon suffers throughout this movie. The theater I was in was not too crowded, but by the time the film ended, everyone, including me, was crying.

I highly recommend seeing this film. Everything about this movie was well-acted, well-plotted, and well thought out. While it can be tough to get through, it was really worth seeing. If you do have the opportunity to read the book beforehand or just in general, it's very interesting, thrilling, and easy to get through. I recommend this movie for anyone interested in seeing a good movie, anyone who enjoyed the book, and anyone who likes historical/period films.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiw1cYXQw4g

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

I really enjoyed the first film (see my review below, or click the "Cloudy" tag at the bottom of this review to see both reviews), so I was pretty excited to see the sequel. This film basically picks off right where the first one ended, but it does back up a little so that way you can quickly catch up to what is going on.

While I did enjoy this film, I will say that the first film is better. The sequel does use the same humor that was found in the first one, and this film really takes creativity to the max. The effort that was made to create all of the food hybrids really add a fun vibe to the movie. Kids will definitely enjoy this movie because of all the cute animal hybrids, the silly characters, and the pretty simple villain.

Overall, while I did enjoy this movie, the first one is definitely better. I liked how the plot of the sequel easily transitioned from the first and developed from there. I think that those who liked the first will like the second, but not as much. I would definitely recommend watching the first one because while this movie does do a quick backtrack of what happened in the first movie, the first film gives you an idea of what humor is used and what the characters are like. This will allow you to decide whether or not you want to watch the sequel. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a kids movie to watch and anyone who enjoyed the first film.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6dECrl-BE

Jackie Brown

This movie was based on the novel Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard, and is the only film by Tarantino that he did not base on his own ideas. In comparison to his other films, this film is not as violent, so anyone who is not the biggest fan of violence but is interested in seeing a Tarantino film should check this one out.

Jackie Brown is much more of a crime caper, following many different characters and half a million dollars. The film has many characters, but it does a good job of making sure that none of the many characters blur together or get confused. Each character has their own unique personality and are portrayed very well by the characters who play them. The plot is also very interesting in how it shows each character's motivations for the money and the elaborate scheme to get the money. The climax of the movie contains one of the most intricate and exciting scenes, and it is really well-done.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. Even though this is the second time I have see this, it is still a fun movie to watch. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys Tarantino films, crime capers, or just looking for a good movie to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7HkBDNZV7s

Prisoners

My parents and I saw this when it was playing in theaters after hearing and seeing good reviews about it. While the movie is on the longer side, it does a good job of feeling like it's playing in real time. What makes it feel this way is how realistic it was through the actions and acting of the characters as well as the major events that occur throughout the movie. The movie felt so real, that it actually gave my sister nightmares (who had seen it prior).

The acting is incredibly well-done and it is so interesting to see how each parent handled their child's abduction differently. It really makes you think about how you would react in this sort of situation and how you could handle yourself as the situation continues. The best performances are found in Keller Dover (played by Hugh Jackman) and Detective Loki (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). Their acting is what keeps the plot moving forward, and it is done successfully.

Overall, I thought this film was really well-done and I highly recommend it. There are some scenes that are a bit tough to get through, but I don't want to spoil anything. The mystery in this film is constructed well, and the ending really leaves you with something to think about. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good mystery or drama film to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpXfcTF6iVk

Thor: The Dark World

I went to go see this the day it came out, my friends and I have a soft spot for superhero movies and were really anticipating this movie. This movie picks up right around where The Avengers left off, I won't spoil that ending for those who haven't seen it. While I did enjoy the first Thor, I felt that it was very obligatory in setting up for everything in The Avengers. I actually happened to like this sequel much more than the first, which is a very rare thing for a movie. While this movie was pretty predictable, it was still enjoyable and entertaining. Darcy (played by Kat Dennings) and Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston) are the most entertaining and most fleshed out characters, and they are the characters that really are the best part of this movie.

My only real negative comment, other than this film's predictability, is the big fight at the climax. I won't reveal much, but I'll just say that I found it much more comical and slightly stupid than the seriousness that I believe it was supposed to be. Overall though, I found this movie to be better than the original and pretty entertaining. I would recommend watching the original Thor and The Avengers to make sure you are caught up with the characters and the plot. Also, stay until the end of the credits. Marvel movies like to add scenes in and after the credits to set up future films. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys superhero movies.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvJ9FTgZbM

Kiss Me Deadly

I previously watched this film last year in my Film Noir class, but seeing it as a reference for the Tarantino film Pulp Fiction puts it in a really interesting context. The main idea that Pulp Fiction takes from this film is the idea of the mysterious briefcase, but I won't give anything away as to where that idea comes from in Kiss Me Deadly. Another reference from this movie in Pulp Fiction is the character of Butch. Butch is a version of the main character of this film, Mike Hammer. This is a really interesting Film Noir, and while the main character is supposed to be a rough, tough, and manly main character, a lot of what he does to emphasize this part of his personality, it can be comedic at times. Overall, this is a decent movie and film noir. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing a film noir or looking for something different to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss4AF91KOFw

Pulp Fiction

This is only the second time that I have seen this movie, and I can say that I liked it a lot more the second time around. I did enjoy it the first time I watched it, but the second time I appreciated it even more. I really like the non-chronological storyline, because while it does jump around, it all comes together in the end. All of the characters are incredibly well-acted, especially Samuel L. Jackson. The film also has really interesting references to other films (which is a common trait in Tarantino films), especially the film Kiss Me Deadly, where the idea of the mysterious briefcase appears. Overall, I really liked this film and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing a good movie and anyone who enjoys or is interested in watching a Tarantino movie.

Oscar Nominee: Best Picture 1995, Best Actor 1995 for John Travolta, Best Supporting Actor 1995 for Samuel L. Jackson, Best Supporting Actress 1995 for Uma Thurman, Best Director 1995 for Quentin Tarantino
Oscar Winner: Best Original Screenplay 1995 for Quentin Tarantino

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7EdQ4FqbhY

Star Trek (2009 Version)

This was the first time I had ever seen this movie all the way through, and I enjoyed it. The action sequences were really cool and the majority of the characters were well-acted. The plot was interesting, though it was a tiny bit confusing. I won't tell what happens but it took me some time to adjust to this part of the plot. While it was slightly confusing, it was still a cool idea for a plot and it was interesting to see how it played out. There is a good amount of action and a lot of lens flares (sometimes to the point where it is pretty distracting). Overall, I enjoyed this movie and I would recommend this to anyone who likes Science Fiction films or is looking for a decent action movie.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyJszxnJydA

The Killing

This was another film that was watched in the Tarantino class I am taking as one of his influences. This specific film was the major influence for Reservoir Dogs, and there are many similarities between the two. I found this film to be really well done and I really liked the plot. In seeing Reservoir Dogs the week before, it was really cool to see all the influence The Killing made on it. This film focused more time on the crime than Reservoir Dogs, and it was really cool to see a heist taking place at a horse racetrack. I also really liked how the film went through each individual character in setting up the heist as well as the aftermath after the heist. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a good crime drama (or a Film Noir) to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiDUFG56wT4