Limitless

Limitless is may be one of the biggest surprises of 2011.  It is fun, energetic, sexy, and most importantly original. This film I have a hard time comparing to any other.  The close I can come close to is superhero film meets Trainspotting. 

The film is about an unfocused writer who comes in contact with a drug which makes him able to access 100% of his brain at one time.  Doing this he is able to climb the path to success really fast.  Doing this he takes a lot of risk to reach his success by dealing with some pretty evil guys through wall street.  Plus like every drug there side-effects.  This drug has side effects of blackouts, headaches, vomiting, and of course death.

Now there are  a lot of flaws in this film.  The idea itself is not logical, its not that us humans can only access 15-20% of our minds capability, its just that to do certain task we need 15-20% of our mind.  Also the ending is one big cop-out in my opinion.  It felt way to crowd pleasing.

With all of that being said this one fun film, the visual style unlike any other film I have ever seen.  Bradley Cooper gives his best performance of his career.  Robert De Niro is finally able to get a good role in the longest time.  Plus a lot of good minor performances in the film.  The dialogue is good and the set up to scenes are good too.  I recommend you see this.

Rating 78%

Greatest Films of the 80s

20. Raising Arizona

Favorite Scene

Directed By the Coen Bros. and Starring Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, and John Goodman

19. The Terminator

Favorite Scene

Directed by James Cameron and Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, and Linda Hamilton

18. Raiders of the Lost Ark

Favorite Scene

Directed by Steven Spielberg and Starring Harrison Ford

17. The Last Emperor

Favorite part (the score)

Directed By Bernardo Bertolucci and Starring  John Lone and Peter O'Toole

16. Witness

Favorite Scene

Director Peter Weir and Starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGills

15. Full Metal Jacket

Favorite Scene

Directed By Stanley Kubrick and Starring Matthew Modine, Lee Ermey, and Adam Baldwin

14. The Thing

Favorite Scene

Directed by John Carpenter and Starring Kurt Russel and Keith David

13. Brazil

Favorite Scene (spoiler)

Directed by Terry Gilliam and Starring Johnathan Pryce and Robert DeNiro

12. The Live!

Favorite Scene

Directed by John Carpenter and Starring Rodey Piper and Keith David

11. Gallipoli

Favorite Scene (spoiler)

Directed by Peter Weir and Starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee

10. Blue Velvet

Favorite Scene

Directed by David Lynch and Starring Kyle MacLachlan and Dennis Hopper

9.  The Breakfast Club

Favorite Scene

Directed by John Hughes and Starring Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, and Molly Ringwold

8.  The Road Warrior

Favorite Scene

Directed by George Miller and Starring Mel Gibson

7.  The Empire Strikes Back

Favorite Scene

Directed by Irvin Kershner and Starring Mark Hamil and Harrison Ford

6.  Blade Runner

Favorite Scene

Directed by Ridley Scott and Starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer

5.  Aliens

Favorite Scene

Directed by James Cameron and Starring Sigouney Weaver and Michael Biehn

4.  Raging Bull

Favorite Scene

Directed by Martin Scorsese and Starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci

3.  The Shining

Favorite Scene

Directed by Stanley Kubrick and Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall

2.  The Elephant Man

Favorite Scene

Directed by David Lynch and Starring Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt

1.  Das Boot
Favorite Scene (Spoiler)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen and Starring Jurgen Purchnow

Rango

Rango is one of the best animated films I've ever seen, hell its one of the best westerns I have seen.  This film is not a kids movie, it is a surreal Sergio Leone style western that just happens to star a Lizard and a town full of the dirtiest reptiles, amphibians, and rodents you will see.

Rango is a lizard who ends up stranded in the middle of the Mojave Desert, and comes to find a animal town by the name of Dirt.  Here Rango becomes the Sheriff after telling lie to make him seem heroic.  However the town has water problem and they turn Rango to fix the problem.

The film is combination of a tale of Seven with One Blow, Chinatown, The Wild Bunch, a Sergio Leone western, and a Pixar film.  However the film feels original because Gore Verbinski is not afraid to have surreal imagery and the punch line to every joke works.  Also one of the best action sequence I've seen in a animated films.

The voice acting is top notch, Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, and Bill Nighy are all great.  The Animation is incredible,  maybe some of the best animation I've seen (be afraid Pixar).  Hans Zimmer score is great, as usual.  Keep up Gore, bring back the great westerns like this.

Rating 92%

The Adjustment Bureau

The Adjustment Bureau is a one of the best romantic films I've seen in awhile. Now don't be fooled by the trailer this is not a sci-fi thriller like most Philip K. Dick adaptations. It is a lot like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Dark City. The film is held together by the great chemistry that Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have and good supporting performance.

The film is about a congressman who falls for a girl when really according to this mysterious supernatural group called the adjustment bureau he should of not, because it is not part of the great plan set out for humans. So that the adjustment bureau tries to have the congressman to get his fate back on the right track by having him not fall in love with her.

The performances are good, the cinematography is also great, along with the score by Thomas Newman. Terrence Stamp also gives a good supporting performance. The biggest problem with the film is the ending is underwhelming. However I do strongly recommend this movie.

The Score

Rating 75%