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The Watcher starring Keanu Reeves, James Spader and Marisa Tomei

Posted on July 25, 2010 Written by ripitup

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The Watcher starring Keanu Reeves, James Spader and Marisa Tomei
The Watcher starring Keanu Reeves, James Spader and Marisa Tomei.Directed by Joe Charbanic. Image via histreaming.com

Joel Campbell (James Spader) is an ex-FBI agent. He has left active duty due to disability: He has severe migraines, suffers from lack of sleep, forgetfulness and more. He goes to therapy two times a week. His psychiatrist – beautiful Polly- (Marisa Tomei) is sure he can handle being an agent again.  Joel’s home-therapy-restaurant ritual in Chicago is totally disrupted when the smart serial killer Griffin (Keanu Reeves) strikes again. And he is not just any serial killer. He loves being chased by Joel and when he moved to Chicago, he has followed him. This man targets young women and he has also killed Joel’s beloved wife. He starts sending Joel pictures of his next victims. Being the only man experienced with this case, Joel involuntarily starts working to catch him.

Somehow, the killer manages to be ahead of them. But of course the killer loves risks and targeting young women without an emotional attachment stops being exciting. Can Joel save himself, and the next target? And do keep in mind, Joel doesn’t even know what the killer looks like!

The Watcher is a very decent drama/thriller. Its atmosphere and acting add a lot to the plot. It is refreshing to see James Spader as the good guy and Keanu Reeves as the psycho. Of course if you are a single woman alone, there is a chance this movie might get under your skin more. It is also creepy that Keanu Reeves’s character seems and acts totally charming and normal in public, meets his victims and talks to them. His cool makes it all more chilling when he gets to “work”. His fascination with Joel is equally daunting.

I have to say I enjoyed this film more the first time I saw it. But the first time was in a dark movie theater, not knowing what will happen next- racing against time with James Spader as he tried to prevent the murders. I watched it a second time and even though I still enjoyed it, it wasn’t so exciting.

However, keep in mind that this is not a horror film. It is a thriller-drama and it is not gory at all.  I think this movies is a must for Keanu Reeves, James Spader and Marisa Tomei fans. Written by Darcy Meyers, David Elliot and Clay Ayers. Directed by Joe Charbanic. 2000.

7-7.5/10 after watching it the first time

6-6.5/10 after watching it a second time

But it is definitely underrated at 5.2 on IMDB.

 

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Can he or can’t he?:  Keanu Reeves Trivia

 

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Clay Ayers, Darcy Meyers, David Elliot, drama, James Spader, Joe Charbanic, Keanu Reeves, keanu reeves movies, Marisa Tomei, movies, The Watcher, thriller

The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

Posted on December 6, 2009 Written by ripitup

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The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock
The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyywIEg0vrI&feature=related[/pro-player]

2006. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) moves out of the lake house she has been living in. She moves back to the city and writes a note to the next owner, mentioning that there were paw prints before she moved in and there was a box in the attic- so he will know they are not her doing.

2004. Architect Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves) moves into the lake house. The house has been empty for years so Alex is surprised to find a letter in the mail box from the previous owner, Kate Forster. And there are no paw prints to speak of. So Alex responds by saying that she might be mistaken since no one lived there before him.

2006. Now, Kate is a little annoyed. Plus Alex has dated his letter 2004. When they start writing to each other, each determined to prove the other wrong, weird things start happening. For one, the paw prints are formed by a dog just as Alex is working outside. Second, anything Kate says has happened that winter happens.

As far-fetched and impossible as it might seem – through some sort of time lapse or whatever – they are corresponding through the same mailbox. The minute one puts the letter in, the other picks it up. Yet in time, there are 2 years apart. So Alex and Kate decide to make the most of this strange occurrence and write in detail. They get to know each other and share bits from their lives. They make little but truly meaningful gestures for each other that other doesn’t have due to their own time. Through the letters, they start to fall in love. They both know it is ridiculous and they how no idea how on earth this is happening but the connection and emotions they share are unique and intense.

At one point, Kate asks Alex to do a favor for her. She has forgotten her much cherished Persuasion copy (a novel by Jane Austen) at the train station two years ago. Alex goes to pick it up and sees Kate for the first time- though Kate two years ago is already on the train and doesn’t know him.

He promises to give it to her. And through a chance encounter, he meets Kate’s then boyfriend and is invited to her birthday party. Kate and Alex get to meet face to face- of course he can’t explain Kate who he is. But yet in those few minutes, they connect. Kate of 2006, she remembers him. She remembers the stranger she has kissed two years ago and hasn’t seen again.

So in that moment lost in the movie, you do believe in “soul mates”, “the one”, “meant to be” and fate – all the cliché concepts that we tend to believe in our romantic/emotional moments and tend to reject when we are feeling cynical. Because there in a beautiful story, you realize the two people corresponding and ceasing to be strangers with their letters, were not really strangers to begin with. They were two people who met at the wrong time, at the wrong place – hence the references to the novel Persuasion (don’t worry, Kate fills you in on that, no need to have read the book- though I’m seriously tempted to). So realizing he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity, they decide to meet for real. But then again, time difference or not, life is complicated…

If you have seen the movie, please comment and I’ll be happy to get into all the beautiful details of this heart-warming and sincere film. Yes, you might be tempted to find logical flaws. Don’t try. I mean the movie does have the surreal element in the first place and since this is simply romance and doesn’t include any other “fantastic” elements, let it go. You either will enjoy the story, the acting, the setting, or you won’t. I love both Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. I am not that big of a fan of Sweet November so don’t accuse me of loving everything with Keanu in it. I don’t (Feeling Minnesota was average and I am not a Matrix saga fan- although I admire its effects). Somehow, Lake House isn’t cheesy or sappy or stupid. It is emotional, intense, sincere and sweet. I actually do think Keanu Reeves is a good actor. And no – I don’t believe the point of the movie is possible in real life. That “fate” helps you in getting together with that special person? That love can exist between a man and a woman in its true form? And moreover “the one” can look like Keanu Reeves? Please, no. But I want to believe it. And for the duration of 99 minutes, I believe it. With all my heart. So can you.

P.S: For a bittersweet reality shot, watch 500 Days of Summer. Lake House involves no comedy and is less original (it is based on a foreign film). But to see a love story, don’t miss this. IMDB rating: 6.8. voted by over 30,000. See? I told you cynicism gets on hold with this flick.

Posts on Sandra Bullock

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A Walk in The Clouds movie review

6 Celebrities That Aged Well

Can he or can’t he?:  Keanu Reeves Trivia

Top 5 Movie Endings- featuring The Devil’s Advocate info

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: drama, Keanu Reeves, keanu reeves movies, movies, romance, Sandra Bullock, sandra bullock movies, The Lake House

Actor Musicians and Musician Actors: Keanu Reeves, Jon Bon Jovi, Kevin Bacon

Posted on October 27, 2009 Written by ripitup

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I am really jealous of these people. They get to do the most fun jobs on the planet – at least in my opinion. There are actors who are in bands and musicians who act. Of course whatever profession they have gotten into later, doesn’t usually provide them as much fame and credibility as the first one. Sometimes the second profession might become more prominent, but still, one is always going to get more credit. Let’s go.

Dogstar vs  BON JOVI  & KEANU REEVES vs Jon Bon Jovi

Do you know Dogstar? Keanu Reeves played the bass and toured with the band for 11 years. The band was founded in 1991 and broke up in 2002. But Keanu has been in movies since 1985.

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Dogstar. First from the right, Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves in Matrix
Keanu Reeves became even more popular with the Matrix Trilogy. Dogstar what?

Dogstar even has a picture with Bon Jovi, at the backstage of a concert where the band performed as the supporting act. And how many of you think Jon Bon Jovi as an actor? Sure, he has done some interesting films like The Leading Man and Little City but to most people, he is a rocker, a musician, the frontman of his band Bon Jovi.  Keanu Reeves always remained as an actor who liked to play bass and play rocker in his free time to his fans and the name Jon Bon Jovi can sell shitloads of concert tickets but it ain’t that strong when it comes to box office.

Bon Jovi: Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres, David Bryan and Richie Sambora
Bon Jovi have been together for about 25 years.
Jon Bon Jovi in Little City: Starring Annabella Sciorra, Jon Bon Jovi, Penelope Ann Miller and Josh Charles
One of the many movies Jon has starred in. Little City is one very funny and poignant little film. The characters are complicated and well...not so predictable.

KEVIN BACON vs The Bacon Brothers

Kevin Bacon has a band called The Bacon Brothers where he plays with his brother Michael. They have 3 albums but I didn’t even have a clue before I watched a special on the actor’s life. His movies? His movies are good. He is a theater trained actor who can play the good guys (Footloose, a classic dance movie) but thanks to Hollywood, he made a name for himself as the actor who best plays the bad guys. He has played good guys (Footloose, She’s Having a Baby, wrongly convicted and/or sexually molested prisoners (Murder in the First, Sleepers), kidnappers , murderers…the list goes on. You probably heard of Mystic River, JFK, A Few Good Men, Flatliners, Stir of Echoes… Did you by any chance get a hold of his albums? I actually heard him play during that show about his life. He sings and he is good. But it is OK. I know quite a lot of singers with great voices. But I think Kevin Bacon is a uniquely talented actor. I for one am glad he stuck with his acting career.

Kevin Bacon and brother Michael Bacon
The Bacon Brothers: Michael and Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon in Stir of Echoes
Here's the mean-looking Kevin Bacon we all know and love

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors, Rock n' Roll (and Music in general) Tagged With: actors, Annabella Sciorra, Bon Jovi, Dogstar, Jon Bon Jovi, Keanu Reeves, keanu reeves matrix, keanu reeves movies, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Bacon movies, Penelope Ann Miller, The Bacon Brothers, The Matrix

A Walk in The Clouds starring Keanu Reeves

Posted on October 23, 2009 Written by ripitup

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A Walk in the Clouds starring Keanu Reeves
A Walk in the Clouds starring Keanu Reeves

Paul Sutton (Reeves) returns home from World War II to a wife he barely knows and that doesn’t seem all that exhilarated to see him. And unknown to Paul, she is cheating on him.They got married too soon and before he went to war so…Well, Paul is back and he needs to make a living, by selling chocolates- not something he is all that excited about.

On the way, he meets Victoria (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) , a beautiful Mexican young woman who is back from college, and she is very upset. After all she is single and pregnant, with the baby of her professor- who is not interested at all being with her. She is very scared of what her extremely traditional father (Giancarlo Giannini) might do. So Paul offers to help. He suggests that he pretends to be her husband, meet her family and leave the next day. At least when the baby news is heard, it won’t be illegitimate. Victoria is touched by his offer and together they go to meet her family. However her father is not thrilled buy the fact that her daughter has run off and gotten married on her own, to a man the family doesn’t know and to top it all, a man who sells chocolate for a living. But the loving mother, grandmother and the grandfather (Anthony Quinn) are all happy for Victoria and welcome Paul into the family. Coincidence, accidents and the grandfather’s acts seem to get his way and Paul has to stay for more than a week, which gives Paul and Victoria more time together and well…fall in love. Of course there are huge problems. Like Paul is already married and has to leave eventually and there’s going to be one hell of a problem if/when her father finds out.

The family has a tremendous grape field and they make quite a nice and rich living out of them. The beauty of the field and the traditions that come with their crops, make wonderful cinematography and just adds to the magic of the story.

The atmosphere, the scenery and the traditions make the movie a lovely watch. The father’s extreme reactions and his quest to get rid of Paul make enough funny scenes. Overall, it is a beautiful film.

Oh yes, it is a girlie movie. It is a chick flick. Bring the labels on. Because it really is a romantic movie. It depicts a love story that is genuine that lacks any type of game-playing and manipulation. Two nice people with two very different backgrounds find each other and fall in love. Although I think this movie is sincere and can be enjoyed by either gender, I can imagine what some boys are going to say about it. Or people will find a way to bash Keanu’s acting, some seem to regard it as a hobby. In fact just the other day a friend actually said “Who the hell ever takes Keanu Reeves seriously?”. Well, to his dismay, I raised my hand – half-joking, and half- making a point. The way I see it, he is awfully underrated. He brings out whatever his role requires him to. And this movie you will see him portraying a sweet,vulnerable and romantic character in the way that it is supposed to be portrayed. So when you leave the Keanu Reeves haters and the people allergic to most/all romantic-movies, you will see that this movie is enjoyable once you leave all the cynicism behind.

End note:

Director: Alfonso Arau, the director of Like Water For Chocolate

Writers: Robert Mark Kamen, Mark Miller and Harvey Wietzman (thanks to imdb.com for writing credits)

Keanu? Reeves and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón in A Walk in the Clouds
Keanu? Reeves and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón in A Walk in the Clouds

I’m merely pointing out that writers and the director are all men. I’m just saying…

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: A Walk in the Clouds, a walk in the clouds movie, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, Alfonso Arau, Anthony Quinn, Giancarlo Giannini, Keanu Reeves, keanu reeves movies, like water for chocolate, movies, romance

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