We're Big in Indonesia

The AJ Movie Review has finally hit the big time! One of our videos (The Spring 2010 Movie Special) has been linked on an Indonesian-based site called ji-wang.org. Click on the link to view the video... or you could just click the sidebar if you want it to be less difficult (and far less cool).

The Spring 2010 Movie Preview Special

I've been on an editing spree this week, and to prove it, here's our video for the site's Spring 2010 Movie Special. The video is coming a little late though, so the first few movies (Daybreakers, Youth in Revolt, and The Book of Eli) are kinda out of date, but hey, you ain't payin' for this so back off alright? Anyway, click on the sidebar to watch the video or check out our YouTube page to watch this and many more wonderful videos.

End of 2009 Movie Awards Special

It's finally here! Check out the sidebar or our youtube account to watch the epic two-part end of the year award special/anniversary video. It may be a little late, but the Oscars aren't even for a couple of months now, so lay off.

The Book of Eli was one of the most suprising movies of the year (so far) as Denzel Washington brings a raw performance that will go down as one his best. It is tough to describe the plot of the film without giving away any spoilers, but just by the trailers, one can tell this was going to be a post-apocalyptic piece, much like Mad Max or the Road Warrior. We only get peices of information as to what happened to cause the world to be in shambles, but it seems as if some type of Nuclear War, or a "Flash" occured leaving the landscape scarred and barren. The time seems to be 30 years or so in the future. Again, it is tough to go through the plot without giving away anything, but I was extremely surprised by the way the movie progressed. It started off extremely slow, but built up to an amazing climax, with an incredible twist that left everyone in my theater (including me) with their mouths to the floor gasping.

The movie is rated R, for the obvious violence...err, i mean EXTREME violence. There is some comedic parts, though short lived, but was woven into the film very nicely. At one part, Eli (Washington) and Mila Kunis character comes across a couple in the desert in an old house which provides for some very brief funny parts. Gary Oldman, the dude that plays Gordon in the new Batman movies, is a fantastic bad guy.

The film, although violent and gorry, does carry a profound message of faith and obedience. Eli has been on a mission for 30+ years and has been faithful to all this time and when his faith is put to the test, his obedience seems to be rewarded by being protected. This movie's plot is heavily rooted in scripture and what it trully means to be able to have faith and hope.

I will be buying this movie on DVD when it comes out. It is that good. The action is incredible, the acting is decent, and the plot and story are all incredible. To this movie, one of the best so far of 2010, I give and SEE IT NOW!!!!

Dual Review: Youth In Revolt

Youth In Revolt follows Nick Twisp (Michael Cera), a somewhat socially awkward teen who finds Sheeni the love of his life. Fate conspires against the two from staying together. Nick vows that he will do anything that he can do to be with her. In order to do this he creates an alter-ego Francois, who is everything he is not. After that point the fun really begins.

Allan's Take:

This is an age old story that's been told ever since there's been an art form to express it. And even though we've seen it over and over again, it never seems to get old. It is always relevant. I love this movie. It is funny, true and honest. And in it's own quirky way it can be called a Romantic Comedy. The acting is well carried out by everyone in the film. Michael Cera is brilliant. I especially like how they brought in the whole idea of an alter ego. It adds a new depth of originality to comedy.

RATING: At least for the younger generation out there, Youth In Revolt may very well become a generational classic. It's a new twist on an age old story...GO NOW!

Jared's Take:

The story that Youth In Revolt tells is a classic. Sure, its been done before, but never quite like this. The acting was good and the movie had plenty of laughs. I suppose the overall goal of the movie was accomplished. I really have nothing else to say about this movie except I didn't feel as if it reached its full potential.

If you must, GO NOW, but if you can wait...RENT IT!

Dual Review: Daybreakers

Daybreakers takes place in a world where almost everyone is a vampire. Everything seems to be going well, except for the fact that those who are not vampires, but normal humans, are hunted and harvested for blood. To make things worse the "supply" of blood is running out and a blood substitute needs to be found quickly before things get out of hand.

Jared's Take:

The story for Daybreakers was put together very well. The premise is interesting and I never found myself bored of my mind wandering. The acting was par for the course and never over the top.

I was really only disappointed in the CGI that was used some of the time. Most of the time the CG was really polished and good. There were sometimes that the CG was downright shoddy. The ending was semi anti-climactic, but not anything I can really complain about.

Overall Daybreakers is not the best movie, but I put it up as a strong...RENT IT!


Allan's Take:

LIKES: I like the semi-original story. Although it's based on vampires, this is the first time I've seen a world completely controlled by them just like they're the "normal" people. However, it is easy to see that the same basic idea is also the basis for the 1950s classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers (which has been remade multiple times). Also most of the special effects and CGI were well done. The Spierig brothers have no problem showing blood in a realistic way.

DISLIKES: Although most of the effects were good, there were at least a couple moments were it was bad. So bad it made me cringe. So I can't say this is a great special effects movie. Also too, Daybreakers lacks that sense of 'yeah, I wanna see this movie again'. It was never boring, but once you've seen it...you've seen it.

RATING: This is a good movie, but like I said before there's no real reason to call this a classic...RENT IT.

Review - Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downing, Jr and Jude Law co-star as Sherlock and Watson in the latest retelling of the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous literary character Sherlock Holmes. The movie, simply titled Sherlock Holmes, features a detective story covering everything from black magic to secret societies that threaten to take over the world. It also features performances by Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler) and Mark Strong (Lord Blackwood...the villain).

The film contains a perfect balance of comedic elements and serious, genuine drama. The story is not very obvious and I couldn't really predict what was going to happen next. The atmosphere is well captured and typical of Victorian London like you've seen in earlier Sherlock and Jack the Ripper movies. The actors do a very good job in bringing the characters to life. I was in particularly impressed with Robert (as I usually am). Many people have been concerned that Sherlock Holmes was going to basically have the same formula as Pirates of the Carribean trilogy. It most assuredly does not. Although both are made by Disney they have separate identities.

The main problem I have with the movie probably has more to do with me than the film itself. I had a bit of difficulty following the story in certain parts because I couldn't understand what was being said all the time. Alot of times people would laugh at something funny I completely missed it, only hearing fast mumbling. I guess it's just me.

Overall this is a pretty good movie. I never got bored and when I got lost I found my way again without missing too much. I don't feel it's a classic just yet but it could become apart of classic trilogy (there'll be others).....for now...RENT IT.