Red Dawn (1983): How could such a bad film even have a rating?

Right now I'm watching the end of Red Dawn (1984), from John Milius, featuring Patrick Swayze and Charly Sheen when they were at the beginning of their career. I like fiction films, but this is such a horrible disappointment, that I had to grab my computer and start writing something so I wouldn't fall asleep. It's one of the cheapest and worst films I've watched in years. I understand it is from 1984, but it's not about the budget nor the lack of technology for good special effects. It's about the ridiculous plot that insults anyones intelligence, the damn-poor acting, the lack of realism to a level that seems done on purpose. And it is so boring! The actors looks like jerks, because that's how bad they are! And I have all the sympathy for Patrick Swayze, because I've always liked him. I know it's not the fault of the actors, because it cannot be a coincidence that everything here is so screwed-up. It's just a terrible combination of the decade, plus low-budget, plus ultra-bad direction, and all the rest that conspired against this art to make such a piece of crap.

I don't understand how IMDB could have rated this a 6.3.

The film was made during the Cold War, and is about the Russians and the Cubans invading and occupying the USA. Although unbelievable, still something fun could have been made of this plot if at least a little bit of talent had been used.

Prisoners: Excellent thriller with Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal

I watched Prisoners (2013). It's a crimer/murder thriller from Denis Villeneuve that features Hugh Jackman and Jake Gylenhaal.

I wont give any spoilers. Just let me say that it is the best thriller I've seen in a long time. It's the classic theme of investigating the kidnapping of children in a small town in the U.S.A., but the achievement is far greater in this film. It's captivating, entertaining, thrilling, original in it's specific circumstances, and the acting is great. Personally, I often feel disappointed when I watch most of the well-rated crime-thrillers and psychologic thrillers, because although the story has all the right things for being given a good rating, it's still more of the same. And that more of the same become less thrilling each time. I found this film refreshing in the genre, despite classic in the story. Don't miss it, because you will be positively surprised!

Trance (2013): The new psychologic thriller of the director of Trainspotting

Yesterday I watched Trance (2013) from Danny Boyle. When I first look at the DVD cover before knowing anything whatsoever about the film, I thought of Trainspotting. The funny thing was that when I realized it wasn't, as I read what was on the box, it said that it was directed by the same director.

In short (without providing any spoilers) the film is about the robbery of a famous painting of Rembrandt that costs about USD 40 million. 

The film features James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel in a psychologic thriller. I must confess I am not a great fan of this genre, but in every sense it is a good film: it has suspense, it is unpredictable and intelligent, it is original, has its dose of action, and the acting is good. There are even a couple os sexy scenes where Rosario Dawson appears stunningly naked. But still, the film is neither erotic nor cheap because of these particular spots.

The film feels somewhat psychedelic (as you easily guess from the design on the DVD cover), and at times you are not sure what is real and is not. But just pay attention to every detail and at the end it all makes sense. 

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

I just finished watching The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), from Marc Webb. I must say that in general I do like Marvel's films. Except some few crappy ones like Thor.

This was my favorite Spiderman film so far. I had found the previous Spiderman trilogy from Sam Raimi, but this newer version is more dark and, obviously, the action scenes have better special effects. Sam Raimi's Spiderman had also become too cheesy, and the romantic scenes somewhat out of topic. In a way it's like comparing Tim Burton's Batman with Christopher Nolan's. After you watch the latter, the first look more childish.

The Amazing Spider-Man features Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben. Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker acts too naive and clumsy for my taste, but his acting is good.