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City of Angels starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan

Posted on August 4, 2010 Written by ripitup

City of Angels starring Meg Ryan and Nicolas Cage. Made in 1998. Image via http://www.dizimatik.com

Seth (Nicholas Cage) is an angel, conveniently located in the City of Angels, Los Angeles. His job is to appear to dying humans and take them with him in a friendly manner. He has the ability to appear to the humans – whether they are dying or not. He has no sense of touch or pain. He doesn’t feel fear and he is pretty much an immortal.

Maggie (Meg Ryan) is a pretty and sensitive doctor who is in a semi-serious and not so passionate relationship with a fellow doctor named Jordan (Colm Feore) from the same hospital.

Observing Maggie, Seth becomes fascinated by this pretty, humane and emotional woman. Maggie finds herself attracted to this mysterious stranger as well. Obviously an angel is not supposed to fall in love, but it is already too late for Seth. But he can’t just exactly ask her out. And soon Maggie will want to know more information than he volunteers.

Help comes in the form of a hospital patient called Messinger (Dennis Franz), who also can see Seth. But unlike Maggie, this middle-aged man has a pretty good idea about what Seth actually is. As it happens, this man used to be an angel as well. But when he fell in love with a woman, he chose to be a regular mortal. It all takes one big jump. So, Seth has to choose between the world he knows and Maggie…

City of Angels is undoubtedly a sappy love story but it does come with Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan. And it is story was somewhat more refreshing than Meg’s other romantic roles. The movie also has a great slow-rock soundtrack featuring U2, Alanis Morisette, Goo Goo Dolls and more. Being the romantic that I am, I do love the unconditional love aspect of the story – and how these two really connect and see through each other’s souls. But there is one element that can make up for sappiness and this is what the movie lacks: a good ending. But I’ll get to the that in a minute. ,

Written by Dana Stevens- based on the German film Der Himmel über Berlin (incorrectly translated as Wings of Desire) from 1987. The German screenplay was written by Peter Handke, Richard Reitinger and Wim Wenders. City of Angels was directed by Brad Silberling.

Rated 6.4 on IMDB. Without the ending, my vote is a 6 or a 7. With the ending, I can even go as low as a 4.

And now, for those who have already seen the movie or the ones who just don’t mind major spoilers, here is why the ending breaks the movie:

Now, obviously there are many people who hated or disliked the movie as a whole or loved the film and found the ending to be just perfect. But as for me, I liked the movie a lot but despised the ending. Not just because an unhappy ending really renders Seth’s whole reason of being a human pointless but because the writer(s) chose the stupidest unhappy ending possible (I haven’t seen the German film so I don’t know if I am just blaming Dana Stevens or the others). What Meg Ryan does… I mean who does that? Seriously? Who rides a bicycle, eyes closed on a busy highway??? Even a suicidal or a masochistic person would prefer something else. But she is not even suicidal or masochistic, is she? She is blissfully happy….

If they were going to kill Meg Ryan, they could and should have at least gone with something less stupid. But I’d rather have a happy ending. Not just because I am a hopeless romantic –which I am- but I am a fun-loving, entertainment-obsessed romantic. So it is precisely because I love to have fun or at least get lost in a good story, I do demand a good ending. If it is going to be unhappy, it has to feel natural in the context of the story. I shouldn’t feel like the writer created tragedy for tragedy’s sake- which is a specialty of Nicholas Sparks and I really can’t stand how he ends his stories.

If you are a hopeless romantic, this is a must for you. If you have liked anything with Meg Ryan or Nicholas Cage, watch this. If you have a soft spot for tragic endings, by all means- this is the movie for you. But if you do want to watch something depressing yet naturally tragic with Nicholas Cage (where you probably wouldn’t have wanted or rationalized another ending) watch Leaving Las Vegas. If you want an in-your-face, realistic and very impressive Cage, watch Lord of War. And if you do want to watch a different kind of Meg Ryan movie, watch In the Land of Women, where the movie is definitely not about her ending up with the love of her life.

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Taps starring Timothy Hutton, Tom Cruise and Sean Penn

Posted on August 2, 2010 Written by ripitup

Taps starring Timothy Hutton, Tom Cruise and Sean Penn. Image via img38.imagefra.me

Bunker Hill Military Academy has been raising students (boys) and educating them for over a century. The students’ ages vary from 12- 17 and they all love their school. General Harlan Bache (George C. Scott) loves being a part of this school and he is very proud one of his new students; Brian Moreland (Timothy Hutton) who he has just assigned to be the Cadet Major. Respected and loved by his friends, Brian couldn’t be happier. His new rank gets celebrated by his friends Shawn – Cadet Captain (Tom Cruise), and Cadet Captain Alex (Sean Penn).

However Brian can’t really get to enjoy his new status as the General declares that the school has only 1 year to transfer students and then it will be closed. However he is determined that he and his students can save their school within that one year. Unfortunately, all his plans go to waste when by accident, he shoots and kills a civilian, trying to break up a fight. And now the school is to be closed even sooner and all the weapons are to be confiscated.

Half the school has gone for summer vacation. The rest is depressed, but Brian has other ideas. Why not protect their school? They all love the idea so soon they take back the weapons, store food and start defending. Unfortunately, no one else outside the school seems to regard this as the innocent act that is. Media, parents, sheriff, cops and soon national guards get involved and are all more than willing to see this as an act of terrorism. All the kids want is to have their school back but pretty soon it turns into a battle of iron wills, and it just maybe a battle that will cost more than anyone bargained for…

I just loved this 1981 gem, Taps. I first thought it would be a comedy about an all boys’ school but soon, it just proved to be one engaging drama with some action attached. It is fun watching Tom Cruise, Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton all so young. They are all good, so is Evan Handler – Sex and The City’s Harry Goldenblatt. You just might not recognize him so young, thin and well, with hair. He plays Edward West.

The story has a very emotional storyline and even though it didn’t get to me as much as John Travolta’s Mad City did, I really enjoyed the experience.

This is a lovely film on loyalty, honor, friendship and sense of belonging. Based on the novel Father Sky by Devery Freeman. Directed by Harold Becker. Rated 6.5 on Imdb. This is an 80’s film that should be checked out both for its story and acting; as well as for nostalgic value.

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Shelter starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Posted on August 1, 2010 Written by ripitup

Shelter starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Image via covershut.com

What the hell? Yes, there will be spoilers. But trust me this movie is really bad so it is to your advantage to know.

Yes, it is not a good thing when a film starts just fine, albeit a bit slow but promises to be an intelligent thriller with a touch of horror and drama and fine acting but then ends up including witches, extremely religious undertone, a villain who is just one of the most ridiculous and pointless villains in history and all that…

I got out a little bit of a rant and now I feel better.

Now, for the record, I really like Julianne Moore. She is a terrific actress and a really pretty woman even without make-up. And it is no secret that I love Jonathan Meyers. He is a great actor and yes, most movie addicts prefer when a decent script comes with talented actors who also happen to be pretty.

And the story starts out pretty cool: Psychiatrist Cara Jessup (Julianne Moore) believes in her science but she believes in God as well. Even the random street murder of her husband hasn’t faltered her faith, but her young daughter (Brooklynn Proulx) and Cara’s father, also a psychiatrist (Jeffrey DeMunn) refuse to believe in God after the tragedy. Despite all this, they seem to be a happy and easy-going family, along with Cara’s younger brother Stephen (Nathan Corddry). However it all gets disrupted when Cara’s dad wants her to observe a new patient: David (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).

As it turns out, her father wanted him to take him on as sort of a challenge. Because Cara doesn’t really believe that Multiple Personality exists and her father not only believes that it exists but he also believes David has it and he is intent on showing this to her daughter.

Multiple Personality Disorder or not, David does seem to have more than one identity and as Cara looks further into the case, she notices that those identities belong to already dead people. To David or Adam or whoever is possessing his body at the moment is pretty certain he is him. How the hell does he know so much about their lives in the first place? And can the murders be connected?

Actually, up until Cara found out what the connection was, the movie was pretty solid and engaging. Then it turned into an aimless nightmare, let go of the science, included a weird -looking old woman (seriously? We still get the same extremely old and ugly woman witch with just as weird “acquaintances” )? And it is shame because this could have been one of the most creative and refreshing movies done on Multiple Personality Disorder…

To me, the second half was a disaster and I am really going to think twice before seeing a Julianne Moore movie. I absolutely hated Blindness, Chloe – though much better than Shelter and Blindness, is average. But this was really bad. And while Jonathan’s acting is really good, good acting can’t save a horrible script. I think Jonathan makes better choices than Moore for the most part but avoid this one and Octane, even if you are a fan.

Obviously all opinions are subjective. So I think that it is safe to suggest you might like this film if you liked Kevin Costner’s The New Daughter or Simon Baker’s Not Forgotten. If you didn’t like those, stay away from this one.

Written by Michael Cooney. Directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, both are Swedish.

6/10 for the first half, 1/10 for the rest.

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24 starring Kiefer Sutherland

Posted on August 1, 2010 Written by ripitup

24 starring Kiefer Sutherland. Image via 22dakika.org/

When 24 came out first in 2001, it soon gained a very loyal following and high ratings that let the show go on for 8 seasons.

It’s admirable when any show goes on for so long in the highly competitive TV industry. But it is even more admirable when that show is not a sitcom or a soap but a high-budget action/thriller/drama. But of course 24 wasn’t another CSI show. It had a unique and refreshing concept: the name 24 literally comes from a day having 24 hours. The show is set in real time and each episode takes place within an hour. We see the clock ticking numerous times during the show and with the inevitable but highly earned commercial breaks, it lasts an hour. The beginning of each episode starts with Kiefer Sutherland’s voice over, telling between which hour-zone that episode will take place. And appropriately, one season lasts for 24 episodes-it ends when that particular day is over.

The plot and the main characters are just as intriguing as the show, with the most central element & character being Kiefer Surtherland’s Jack Bauer. Jack Bauer is a CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) agent in the Los Angeles branch. He is the toughest, smartest and resilient agent and a most valuable assets. What sets him unique is that while he believes in the organization he is working for, he is much more concerned about justice and catching terrorists more than the rules or any bureaucracy. And while this makes him brilliant, it also gets him into a lot of trouble throughout all seasons.

Season 1 starts on an eventful night. Jack’s devotion to his dangerous work has caused him problems in his family life but he has finally moved back in with his beloved wife Teri (Leslie Hope) and beautiful, intelligent but highly rebellious daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert). Jack’s plans for a peaceful family doesn’t last long as Kim has run away for the night around the same United States’s first black President David Palmer’s (Dennis Haysbert) life might be in danger. Not having a clue where their daughter is, Terry sets out to find her and Jack goes to work if the threats are real.

Meanwhile, Kim has gone out with her best friend Janet (Jacqui Maxwell) to two boys from college. It is supposed to be a sexy, fun night out- but soon Kim realizes that the boys have an ulterior agenda, and it has a lot to the with Kim’s father Jack and the men who are planning to get David Palmer killed…

I was so lucky when I caught season 1, because the network was on the reruns, 4 episodes in a row and they weren’t giving any commercials during the episodes, but just between them. 4 non-stop, advertising-free 24 episodes is a lot of thrilling action, full of adrenaline, lots of amazing and unpredictable twists, great insight to well-developed characters and a lot of intelligent villains. Needless to say, I was hooked. And even the finale didn’t disappoint as season 1 came with a brilliant, in-your-face finale.

I watched season 2 with the same zeal and gusto. I now had to see the show episodes one by one and I could hardly wait to see what would happen to Jack Bauer next. After season 1, Jack was emotionally damaged and this added new depths to his character, who never showed his emotions easily in the first place. It was a brand new day and Jack was back to kick some serious butt. But he also didn’t know who to trust, not after what happened in episode 1 (and I am not going to say it. It’s brilliant – just go watch it).

As season 3 started, 24 was proving to be a very good but very risky project for the actors involved. Because aside from Jack Bauer, any character- no matter how big/significant the role, could just be killed that season. Any man, apart from Jack, could be a villain or helping out a villain. And women could hardly be trusted as well. So far, the other male actor who got the most frequent screen time was Carlos Bernard who played Tony Almedia for 7 seasons. Yes, some agents/bosses changed or resigned or reassigned but mostly, if a character left the show, it was because they died. I have to go back to the series to check what happened with Elisha Cuthbert’s Kim, as she appears in only 79 episodes. I don’t remember what happened to her character. The most frequent actress was Mary Lynn Rajskub, who played Chloe from season 2 to the end of season 8. Chloe was a whiz about the technical stuff (computers) and one of Jack’s most trusted allies.

Jack Bauer’s character was never really romantically given a chance and even if he had some romantic involvements (such as with Audrey Raines played by Kim Raver), he really didn’t get to live a relationship on screen as one season only took place in one day and Jack was always busing saving America or the world all together.

But as season 4 started, my addiction to 24 faltered. It wasn’t that the show’s writing got bad, but the concept- the show’s biggest weapon- was now also becoming one of its core weaknesses. Now, no matter how smart, strong, tough, fit, whatever Jack is, there are only so many times you can sell “one man’s saving the world in a day” to the audience. And it does become annoying when one in 2 or 3 actors turn into villains.

Now, while I will always find the writing more brilliant for the first 3 seasons, 24 never does really momentum. However if you have started the show from the first season, you should try to consider each season separately. Otherwise, the show’s realistic real time attitude is just an effect. Yes, Jack Bauer managed to rock for 8 seasons. And if as long as you do isolate each season from each other when it comes to Jack’s super resume, you will enjoy them all.

Now that we are in the holiday season and all my current shows’ actors are on vacation, it just might be a time for me to revisit the seasons I loved and seasons I haven’t checked out yet.

As for some of the racism accusations, I don’t think 24 was ever racist about its villains. True, the show aired in November, 2001 and through its seasons it did involve some Muslim criminals. But 24 had so many villains- they belonged to lots of religions, races and countries. And more often than not, any foreign criminal almost always had an American ally. So, no, I don’t find 24 to be racist. But of couse each to his own. I also find it that it is trying to be against discrimination even as 24 had black male lead who played the president. 24’s later episodes also saw a female president.

IMDB Rating: 8.9/10 voted by over 39.500 people.

My rating: 10/10 for the first 3. I haven’t seen the whole of the other seasons so I will update this post afterwards. If you have your favorite Jack Bauer moments or lines or any other favorite 24 character, please share them.

Also note that 24 is going to be a movie and of course it will be starring Kiefer Sutherland.

Other Drama, Thrillers and/or Drama-Thrillers You Might Like:

Alias – this one is the J.J. Abrams hit before Lost. Starring Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan and Bradley Cooper.

The Mentalist – serial killers, murderers, California, funny one-liners, entertainment, depression, action and chilling mystery all in one place. Starring Simon Baker and Robin Tunney.

Castle– this one has romance and comedy too. Starring Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic.

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