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.

The Man with the Iron Fists (2012): Why is Tarantino's name attached to this film?

Last night I watched "The Man with the Iron Fists" on DVD. The reason I was so eager to watch it is because the DVD I borrowed mentioned Tarantino somewhere, and I thought he was the director. But I just learned through IMDB that the only reason why Tarantino's name was attached to the film is because he lent his name to attract viewers, due to his personal and professional friendship with RZA (main actor, director and screen-writer of the film). So, I was disappointed to see that he actually had nothing to do with the film, other than an acquaintance with the actual creator and main actor. Although I enjoyed the film, I feel a little bit cheated, because the only reason I took the film was because of Quentin Tarantino's name on it.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Not so original, but good and entertaining

I recently watched The Hunger Games, second part. I did enjoy the film, although I have to admit that I usually have a prejudice against actions films where the heroine is a woman that kicks everyone else's ass. And even more if it is a teenager or young adult. It's not because I have anything against female protagonism, but I can't identify with teenage cinema; and I find this type of films the most commercial type especially made for the teenage public. It is too obvious that these films have been made for female teenagers that love to identify themselves with the heroine; and for male teenagers who love to watch pretty girls and fantasize a bit. A good example of that, for me, is Transformers.

Nevertheless. I had fun with the film. Some acting was very good (especially Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland and Lenny Kravitz), and the theme is interesting enough although not really original. If you have been watching Sci-Fi movies from the 80's, you will remember that sci-fi classic of 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Running Man. This films, based on a novel from Stephen King, also focusses on a man that is thrown against his will into a wild game scenario where he has to survive fighting other players. In the meantime he is broadcasted for everybody to watch. This happens in an imaginary future, and also, the system doesn't want to allow the protagonist to win, so they even get to the point of faking his defeat and death.

There are a lot of similarities between both films, and it is too obvious that there is an inherited plot. Nevertheless, The Hunger Games goes much further in its political theme, which makes it an interesting movie to watch.