People, it is I Harry here... nearly finished with my final QT5 report, here at Geek Headquarters having finished KING CONAN: CROWN OF IRON and Tarantino's KILL BILL scripts... Mending my old wound and delighting in the coming of reports from TORONTO! Ah to be there... The lines, the mania of films... It would be something to be sure. Here are 3 mainstream titles that debuted on this day of high adventure in the land of Cartuna... Now... here is Scopa!
Ok I'm just getting too tired or too old to do this for so many nights ;)....pix at This Location!!! ...more to come if I don't fall asleep in a theatre...Novacane tonight
Hardball
It is not often enough that when you see a preview of a movie that you are surprised when you actually see the film. Hardball the new film starring Keanu Reeves is a good example.
Conor O'Neill has bad gambling habit. He gambles on just about everything and has lost many times. He doesn't have a job and often tries to get to out of his debts by gambling more. One day, when he tries to get money from a banker he is told he has earn his loan by coaching an inner city baseball team. Reluctantly he takes the job. The kids he coaches are unruly and live in fear because of the poverty and violence around them. Conor begins to open his mind and heart to them and help them become a better team while he has a change of heart.
This film is one of the most unique films that has been released this year. It combines elements of Bad News Bears among others to deliver a strong story without making it too predictable. We get to follow Reeves' character from being very hard to deal with to being someone who has grown and learned how to look beyond his own problems. Reeves brings depth to this character and makes the viewer want to see him achieve his goals despite his flaws. The children in this movie are cute and have many cute lines that add the comic element to this movie. The direction is nothing special but it does accomplish the job.
Hearts in Atlantis
Bobby Garfield returns to his home town for a funeral of a childhood friend. Once there he wanders to his old home and begins to reminisce about his two now dead friends and a man who stayed as a border in his house. We learn that this border has the ability to read minds or at least people.
This film adapted from a Stephan King is one of the most touching that has been made. It has the feel of Stand by Me but tugs at the heart strings more. Anton Yelchin is not only cute as the young Bobby Garfield but also shows that he can bring depth to his character and draw the audience into his performance. Anthony Hopkins is also wonderful as the border who charms young Bobby and shows him another view of the world that he may not have had because of his domineering mother. The direction of this film is very well done and it is very well shot. The story is very touching and many people can relate to what happens to these characters.
Training Day
Alonzo Harris is a tough cop. He knows who does what and why. Alonzo also has the highest arrest ratio in his undercover division. That's why Jake Hoyt wants to be part of his team. In Training Day we see Jake's first day on the job with the Alonzo. We watch as the corrupt Alonzo takes bribes and lets thugs go because he believes the smaller criminals will kill each other off leaving him to deal with "the big fish". Unfortunately for Alonzo, Jake doesn't see it that way.
This film by Replacement Killers director Fuqua shows that after doing two more films a director can improve himself and make a good action drama. Washington is amazing as the good cop who became corrupted by the money and greed of the gangs. Hawke as his new partner is equally as good bringing a sense of naivety to his character but slowly bringing his character into "the know" after spending time with his new partner. The plot is twisty and is well thought out making this more than just an action film.
Scopa
