shootingstarpictures Reviews

Goal! The Dream Begins (2005)

The best Soccer Movie so far...

[8/10 · 16 August 2009]

In the mix of all sports movies, when a movie is made for soccer, the expectations of the audience, is a thousand fold. This is because most of the Soccer Movie goers are soccer (football) fans. Football fans are not so forgiving when it comes to the football scenes. This movie captures the scenes fantastically. It shows real football. The filmmaker knows football. The stars know football. The cameramen know football.

This is independent film-making at its best. It has the main plot which is the struggle of an athlete to achieve his dream. It has side plots which involve his relationships with his father, his new found girlfriend and his grandmother. His interactions with his brother and his teammates are great. But probably the most important event of his life has to do with the lucky break he gets when a former player turned scout sees him play. From there, the dream begins for the star of the movie and the audience as well.

This movie is highly recommended.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Exciting and action filled

[7/10 · 13 July 2009]

This movie is made to catch the attention of the audience and succeeds in doing so. If you like an action movie that makes sense and entertains in the mean time, this is the movie to see.

The acting is great and the director follows the right steps to bring the audience to pay attention. Even though there are cliché scenes that make one or two in the crowd chuckle, it still fulfills what anyone would expect from an X-Men motion picture. The introduction of the well known characters to the X-Men fans, is done in a tasteful fashion.

Undoubtedly an entertaining movie with great CGI and made for audience enjoyment. I highly recommend it.

We Own the Night (2007)

Cops and Gangsters wanna be

[2/10 · 13 July 2009]

When the writer and the director of a movie are the same people, you know that what you see on the screen is most probably, exactly what he/she intended.

This movie deals with a cop's son and his family and a Russian organized crime group. I think the director couldn't make up his mind in making this a love story or an action thriller! There are more scenes of passionate make out/sex sessions than any other scene.

It is unfortunate that a studio spends so much money and wastes great acting talents on bad writing and worse directing. This movie had moments that could have brought up the interests of the audience and attract them to what was happening on the screen, but instead, it missed its chances time after time. May be James Gray didn't want to come across as cliché, but it sure would have beaten the heck out of making a boring movie.

This movie is boring and the content does not make sense. There are more naïve criminals and law enforcement officers in this movie than a cartoon. This movie is not recommended.

State of Play (2009)

Please read only if you have seen the movie

[4/10 · 6 June 2009]

I saw this movie last night. I always have a huge expectation when it comes to a Studio with an enormous budget and a ton of name actors.

This movie seemed like it was in a desperate need of a script rewrite. I don't know how many people influence the outcome of a movie like this. I don't know if an executive producer insists on changing scenes, or an actor throws a temper tantrum if a certain shot is not added or deleted, or simply the director is not doing a good job. Let's say that this was all hands off, and like what one would expect, was all on the director and the script writer(s), so no excuses.

The idea behind the script is great, let's get the bad, powerful, No Bid Contract, blood sucking war mercenaries. But, in a movie, generally, good guys are good guys and bad guys are bad guys. Yes, granted, good guys do make mistakes, and bad guys, some times do get to pet an animal or two. But the good guys seldom kill the innocent, and bad guys never just walk away.

There are parts that don't make sense, like the escape of a long haired, laid back, yet inquisitive journalist from the foot chase of a highly military trained, mercenary, killing machine. Or the same highly trained, killing machine putting on his fatigues and acting completely out of character. The highlight of the movie is the performance of one my favorite actors, Jason Bateman. There are so many lowlights that I don't know where to begin with, but one of the very laughable lines was said by Russell Crowe's character to Ben Affleck's character (please forgive me, I am paraphrasing, and this is not word by word): "at the end, four people got killed, and for God's sake, one of them was a Pizza Delivery man…..", I almost fell out of my seat, who writes this stuff! All in all, for God's sake, lets make good movies.

Knowing (2009)

Please read only if you have seen the movie

[4/10 · 4 June 2009]

I was nicely surprised that after the movie started, I found the script cleverly written and the movie well directed. But as it went on, it became 'theoretically flawed' and extremely boring. It became about a story that was written thousands of years ago. As the movie progressed, it became an 'alienized' version of Adam and Eve. Interestingly enough, the story tells you that our destinies are all pre-determined and there are no ways of changing them. So if you have failed in life, don't worry about it, it is not your fault, aliens did it. That is why I call it 'theoretically flawed'. I don't know who would be happy with this story, may be 1- People who want to have an explanation for the story of Adam and Eve. 2- People who have questions about destiny and whether or not God has a role in it (or, it could be just aliens). 3- People who believe in Armageddon, and now are very happy because it will happen soon.

It is unfortunate, this movie had a good potential, but within the first half of it, it became very boring. The special effects became laughable. May be the remake could come out as a comedy.

Precious (II) (2009)

A very powerful and moving story

[10/10 · 29 May 2009]

I have to admit that I was very surprised to see some negative comments about this movie. I am not too sure if the persons leaving those comments are in any way filmmakers themselves!

I highly recommend this movie. It is a very strong story, and Lee Daniels is the best person to tell it in a motion picture. The acting is superb. It is worth mentioning that, in my opinion, the most difficult cross over for an actor is to play a dramatic role where he/she has a comedic image. Robin Williams may be one of a handful of such actors who perfected this task without a hitch. Mo'Nique in her performance proves to be an outstanding actor who can cross over with a tremendous amount of talent and power. The story is brave and moving.

The Dying Gaul (I) (2005)

an excellent movie

[8/10 · 7 February 2005]

a unique screenplay. the fact that the audience was left to have the choice to like and/or dislike a character is an achievement on its own. Craig does a great job by being honest about what he wants from his characters. i agree with him in contemplating with the idea of trying to change the last scene to relay his message of Robert's new personality. i also agree with giving it a little more Hitchcockesk atmosphere to rise the level of thrill, even though, talking to Craig himself, i know that he thinks that it may end up looking like that the music is influencing a scene a little too much. all in all, very well written, very well acted, very well made.