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The Watcher starring Keanu Reeves, James Spader and Marisa Tomei

Posted on July 25, 2010 Written by ripitup

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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Something’s Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves

Posted on July 14, 2010 Written by ripitup

Something's Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet and Frances McDormand. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers, in 2003. Image via evlilikhazirliklari.com

Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) is well into his sixties but is still dating much younger women. His latest girlfriend is a young woman named Marin (Amanda Peet) who plans a romantic getaway in the Hamptons. The problem is, the house is her mother’s- successful playwright Erica’s (Diane Keaton), who has just arrived with her sister Zoe (Frances McDormand). Erica is shocked to see a half-dressed old man at her house and is even more shocked to find out he is not an intruder, but her daughter’s boyfriend. At Zoe’s suggestion, they all decide to stay at the house. As she puts it, they are sophisticated adults.

Erica is definitely not impressed with Harry’s track record of dating. She is even less impressed with his attitude towards older women. Later that night Harry has a heart attack and is taken to the hospital. The doctor in charge is Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves), a very handsome 30-something who turns out to be a fan of Erica’s work. To everyone’s surprise, he is flirting with Erica. A bigger, and a much less pleasant surprise comes , however, when Harry doesn’t seem well enough to travel and she ends up having to “babysit” him at her house, alone.

Harry is more than anxious to go back to his life-sex life in particular. But Julian tells him to stay put until he can climb stairs without feeling exhausted. So as Harry and Erica inevitably spend time with each other and realize –to both their horror- that they may be enjoying each other’s company a little too much. Can Harry handle a mature relationship with a woman his age? Will he realize that Erica is actually the one for him? And if he does, does he have a chance against his competitor- the gorgeous, sweet and passionate Julian who is crazy about Erica?

Something’s Gotta Give is a very funny romantic comedy from writer/director Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, What Women Want , It’s Complicated). The storyline is original, the actors are marvelous and the jokes are funny. It is one of those rare romantic comedies where guys will enjoys as much as girls, because the movie balances the two genres very well. In fact, I’d rather say the comedy is much more dominant than the romance. Even when Erica and Harry fall for each other, the reactions entertain you immensely. It is also a breath of fresh air to the couples with age difference theme, as the younger girls want Harry, younger Julian wants Erica and Erica and Harry seem to be more right for each other than both of them will realize.

I don’t need to rave about how brilliant and hilarious Jack Nicholson is. I am a huge fan but I suspect that so are you. Diane Keaton is sweet and just as funny. Frances McDormand’s role is important as she tries to make sure her relationship-wary, divorced sister doesn’t give up an opportunity as hot as Julian. And Keanu Reeves is as charming as ever.

The movie is rated 6.8 on IMDB. As for as romantic comedies go, this deserves a 9, if not a 10. I watched thousands of movies and Nancy Meyers has written/directed the romcoms that top my list. Sure if I have to compare it to all other movies I’ve ever seen, it is probably a fair 7 or 8. But, it is no way justly rated at 6.8. See it and have a great laugh. Of course some people with issues won’t like the film- I read a funny user comment on how it was impossible for Jack Nicholson to pull Amanda Peet, how it was disgusting it was two watch Diane and Jack have sex (right, because only young people with perfect bodies have sex!) and how a guy that looked like Keanu would no way go for Diane…Right, because young men never fell in love with older women…And Jack has never charmed the pants out of every woman with his acting…

You don’t have to suspend your beliefs to like this film. Just see it. Fun is guaranteed.

Favorite Lines:

*Julian hasn’t met the family yet, he is updating them about Harry’s condition:

Julian (Keanu Reeves): Your dad is going to be OK.

Marin (Amanda Peet): He is not my dad.

Julian: Oh, I’m sorry. Your granddad is gonna be okay.

*Harry (Jack Nicholson) to Erica (Diane Keaton) on his seeing her naked by accident and her freaking out:

Harry: Hey! You saw my ass, you don’t see me acting nuts!

* Harry is complaining to Julian about how uptight Erica is.

Harry: I actually saw her naked last night.

Julian: That doesn’t sound so uptight.

Harry: It was an accident. She thought I was asleep, I thought her bedroom was the kitchen.

Julian: You know what Freud said? There are no accidents.

Harry: Trust me. This was an accident. Although why would she be walking around naked when she knows I am 20 feet away?

Julian: Why would you think her bedroom was the kitchen?

Buy Something’s Gotta Give from Amazon

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The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

Posted on December 6, 2009 Written by ripitup

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.

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Choosing Movies According to the Actor

Posted on November 21, 2009 Written by ripitup

I have a favorite video store and I just have to get in there and browse through their stuff. My friends do occasionally try to stop me so I just tell them to hang out somewhere and I go in the store anyway. Sometimes they come in and look around. Occasionally the store manages to catch up with my speed and has some promising movies I haven’t seen. When my friends ask why I pick on particular movie I give a simple answer like: “Oh, Christian Slater is in it! Can’t believe I haven’t seen this one before”. Or “it has Hugh Jackman! ” “you wouldn’t know him- but James Spader is a great actor.” One time one of my friends went: “What? You pick the movie according to the actor?” And I said yeah. I know he thought I was just being superficial and picked the movies where the leads are hot but I really didn’t bother correcting a guy whose favorite actress is Megan Fox.

A movie consists of many elements. It has the behind the scenes crew, the actors, the story…I always read the plot summary before I buy a movie but that’s hardly enough. This is the year 2009 and so many movies have been made that complete/partial originality is almost a luxury. I can follow a director but a director usually favors a genre and there are hardly many directors out there whose most work I enjoy. I mean I don’t like Quentin Tarantiono or Oliver Stone. I only liked one movie by Stone so far. I am not a fan of Brian De Palma and I like half of Spielberg’s work but I am not sure he mixes personal with entertainment well. I love Richard Donner- the guy directed a lot of my favorite Mel Gibson movies. Since directors usually shoot less movies than a famous actor appears in on average, it is statistically better to follow an actor if you like his movies. The style varies yet there is a possibility that you will enjoy his choices.
For the 90s and up until his “I- love- directing- so -much -more”- phase, Mel Gibson was a great choice. He did drama,thriller, romance,action,epic, adaptation and he did them all well. The 90s have great actors in that sense: Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, Christian Slater… Keanu Reeves still makes good movies, and a recent fav. of mine is Gerard Butler. As for actresses, Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock have made some great movies, as well as Nicole Kidman. See how many movies it made in total? If you know the actors’ work, why not choose according to the cast?