MORGAN FREEMAN AND HIS SOON-TO-BE-EX-WIFE

The National Enquirer is reporting that actor Morgan Freeman's wife of 24 years is filing for divorce after she discovered he was cheating on her.

Freeman is 71-years-old.

Quasi un anno fa girovagando per la rete (come mio solito) mi imbatto in una notizia ... Wanted ... la graphic novel di Millar ... al cinema ...

OK ... prima reazione ... MA VIENIIII ... gioia e tripudio ... iperventilazione (reputo Wanted uno dei fumetti più particolari ed esaltanti della mia collezione)

poi però mi siedo ... e rifletto un attimo ...

Ma dai, come è possibile che fanno Wanted? Iper-scorretto, iper-violento ... l'ho adorato proprio per essere stato un fulmine a ciel sereno nel mondo happy-ending dei fumetti. Quindi la gioia si è sedata e ha lasciato spazio alla mia proverbiale diffidenza ... diffidenza che è diventata sempre più consolidata ad ogni trailer e spoiler sul film che circolava ...

Guerrieri del fato ... giustizieri ... confraternita del destino ... mmmmm ... queste informazioni mi lasciavano sempre più perplesso ... ma non sono mai caduto nello sconforto ... perchè ero diffidente anche su 300 e sin city (rivelatisi invece poi fedelissimi) ... quindi armato di ogni buona speranza che sono riuscito a rastrellare nel mio animo diffidente sono andato al cinema a vedere Wanted.

Arrivo al cinema con una decina di minuti di anticipo sull'inizio dei trailer, è una prassi che seguo con scrupolo da diverso tempo, mi permette di valutare dove prenderanno posto i casinisti ed eventualmente riuscire a spostarmi per tempo, inoltre amo i trailer al cinema, alla fine di ognuno rimani in trepidante attesa per capire se ne stia iniziando uno nuovo o se invece inizi proprio il film ...

... ecco ieri mi è successa una cosa incredibile, iniziano i trailer ... per primo Batman: The Dark Knight (il cavaliere oscuro), Hellboy II The Golden Army, la Mummia III, e poi un trailer lunghissimo di cui non ricordo il titolo, che parlava di un ragazzo sfigato che viene ingaggiato da un gruppo di bounty killers che vivono in un castello e che prendono ordini da ... udite udite ... un telaio magico ... e lui (il ragazzo non il telaio) per allenarsi doveva prendere al volo una spoletta (di un telaio minore, da grande forse sarà lui il capo dei telai ...) ... alla fine poi dopo cinque minuti che si allena con la spoletta (credo sia magica visti i risultati) uccide tutti grazie all'aiuto di centinaia di topi (qui tra il castello, il telaio magico e i topini ho pensato che il film fosse cenerentola ...).

Ora ... io a questo punto ero stufo di vedere trailer, e mi aspettavo che iniziasse Wanted ... con la sua carica di ultra violenza e esasperante scorrettezza ... invece si accendono le luci e tutti se ne vanno ... io sono un po' incredulo e non capisco, perchè non fanno il film? però alla fine arriva anche la maschera e mi manda via ...

... giuro non mi era mai successa una cosa simile ... 2 ore di trailer e non mi hanno fatto vedere il film per cui ho pagato ... qualcuno di voi è andato a vedere Wanted? Me lo racconta?

Grazie ...

(Timur Bekmambetov - 2008 USA)

Wanted non brilla AFFATTO per originalità... vediamo un po': impiegato che diventa eroe? checked. Cattivo che si rivela essere il padre? checked. Training dell'eroe? checked. Imparare a fare cose che si credevano impossibili? checked. Sparatorie coreografiche? checked. Ragazza bella e tostissima? checked. Il Fato come motore della storia? checked. Come avrete capito la fonte primaria è Matrix (scollegata però dal discorso "realtà virtuale"), più un pizzico di Star Wars, che male non fa. Per lo meno è fatto bene, gli inseguimenti in macchina sono clamorosi, e Angelina Jolie è in forma smagliante, toglie il fiato. L'epilogo invece lascia un po'... ehm... come dire... perplessi. Pago setteeuroecinquanta per vedere un blockbuster fracassone e mi vieni a dire che sono uno sfigato? Da uno che si chiama Timur non lo accetto.

Trailer

Of course I'm not talking about The Bucket List in which Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson get 'movie cancer' (i.e. the kind without real symptoms) and set out to do all the things they haven't done. Obviously you'll get ill watching it so I could suggest either French horror Frontiers (neo-nazi cannibals) or the new boxset of the complete Lonesome Dove to aid your recovery.

All this, however, is mere dust compared to DVD of the Week and quite possibly one of the greatest works in American film, There Will Be Blood.

What more can be said about this true original? I'll say that it deserves and rewards your time so grab a copy, turn off the lights and enjoy pure filmmaking.

I mean, why pay millions of dollars to some already friggin rich comic writer to used the term "based on" in your movie poster when your film have almost NOTHING to do with the source material, right?

I can understand the marketing view point if you're making shit like "Super Mario" and "Street Fighter" movies. The words "based on" are normally enough to send the fan boys (and girls) (hmmm... not really, girls are generally too smart to watch Super Mario Bros or Street Fighters) packing into the cinemas. But shows like "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "Wanted" which has a coherent (ok, MOSTLY coherent) and independent storyline should've been allowed to stand on their own two feet. It is cheaper and less of a hassle to think up a new name than it is to negotiate the marketing rights, right?

It is almost completely opposite to the Hulk, which pays tribute to the source material and actually rewards fanboys who are able to catch the subtle (and not so subtle) easter eggs in the movie. The only reference I got was the name tag of a certain JG Millar who works in the cubicle next to Wesley's. (JG Jones and Mark Millar being the creators of the original Wanted) (I HAVE to flaunt this nerd knowledge SOMEWHERE)

So why watch Wanted, you ask?

Well, besides the very obvious reason of the SUPER Sexy Mrs Pitt, Wanted (the movie) is every lil boy's wet dreams coming true. Superb Action Sequences? Check. Big Ass Car Chases where a dumpster truck can outrun a Sports car? Check. Logic Flaws the size of bullet exit wounds? Check. Profanities spelled out by broken keyboards and fallen teeth? Check. The Sewing Machine of Fate? (I am totally serious). Check. Curving Bullets Gun Fu? Check. Darth Vadar-ish *SPOILER ALERT* "I am Your Father" moment? CHECK!

Naked back shot of Mrs Pitt? (I REALLY had to add that in again) Check! Check! And Check!

And, ermm... There's also Morgan Freeman and something resembling a plot.

But like I've mentioned. It's a show that could've stood on its own 2 feet. It won't be a cinema classic anytime soon, but for a summer blockbuster, it would've done fine. i mean, after all, there's a naked shot of Angelina's back. *drooool*

I am also convinced that THIS

Works waaaaay better than THIS

USA 2004 | Regi: Clint Eastwood | Spilletid: 132 min | IMDb

Året etter det praktfulle thrillerdramaet Mystic River, er Clint Eastwood tilbake i regissørstolen med Million Dollar Baby.

Historien spinner rundt den aldrende boksetreneren Frankie (Clint Eastwood) og den fattige streberen Maggie (Hilary Swank) som mer enn alt ønsker å gjøre en karriere innen boksing. Det er interaksjonen mellom disse to karakterne som driver filmen fremover.

Det blir veldig fort tydelig at vi har å gjøre med en moden regissør som vet hvordan en god historie skal fortelles. Uten at det er pretensiøst dvelende, skrider filmen fremover i et behagelig, rolig tempo som gjør at vi kommer akkurat nok under huden på de to hovedpersonene. Når disse rollene samtidig er tolket med herlig nyanse av henholdsvis Eastwood og Swank, så blir det i sum fullkomment.

I begynnelsen kan man få inntrykk av at det ikke er noe mer i Eastwoods karakter enn en fordomsfull og gretten, gammel mann med en dyster forhistorie og et deterministisk syn på fremtiden. Men det ligger mer i Frankie enn som så, og Eastwood klarer å portrettere denne dybden. Spesielt den siste drøye halvtimen, hvor filmen har gjennomgått en særdeles vellykket tematisk tranformasjon, viser filmlegenden stor skuespillerkunst.

Samtidig er Hilary Swank minst like imponerende. Hun tok oss med storm da hun vant Oscar for sin fantastiske tolkning i Boys Don't Cry (1999), men er om mulig enda bedre her, igjen i en krevende rolle. Swank har også gått inn for rollen rent fysisk, noe som sier en hel del om hennes genuine dedikasjon som skuespiller. Og om ikke det er nok, dukker alltid pålitelige Morgan Freeman opp i passende øyeblikk, som også i høyeste grad bidrar til å sette oss i den rette stemningen med sin karakteristisk behagelige og svært virkningsfulle voice-over..

Den rette atmosfæren blir vi også satt i ved at omtrent hele filmen foregår i mørke. Suveren lyssetting med gode kontraster gjør filmen til en visuell opplevelse. Melankoli på sitt beste.

Den største positive overraskelsen med Million Dollar Baby er imidlertid hvordan historien utvikler seg. Da jeg først leste om filmen tok jeg det for å være en erketypisk historie om en ung, kvinnelig bokser som mot alle odds kjemper seg opp og frem. "Litt Rocky, bare med ei jente". Så feil kunne jeg ta. Filmen utvikler seg etter hvert i en retning jeg slett ikke var forberedt på, uten at jeg skal gå nærmere inn på det.

Though the larger, integrated prom took place--sanctioned by the school, a separate, private white prom took place that restricted black student attendance. Still, expectation is high that the days of a separate prom will end in the near future, with the arrival of a new vision of prom night that welcomes all students at the high school.

A documentary is in the works about this historical event, "Prom Night in Mississippi" scheduled to show at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Epoka Matrixa minęła, ale zapotrzebowanie na efekciarskie kino akcji nie znikło.

Twórcy Wanted (reż. Timur Bekmambetov) najprawdopodobniej próbowali wypełnić lukę po filmie Wachowskich. Wymyślili w tym celu nową teorię spiskową, która ma niewiele wspólnego z komiksem-pierwowzorem, zaangażowali bożyszcze tłumów – Angelinę Jolie, połowę ujęć podrasowali na komputerach i miało być czadowo. Ale nie było.

Wanted to film słaby. Jedyną jego zaletą są zwroty akcji, które faktycznie są jednak dość zaskakujące. Chociaż w sumie widz powinien domyślić się, że po historii o klanie tkaczy-zabójców, którzy likwidują osoby wskazane przez magiczne krosno przeznaczenia jako przyszłych przestępców, można spodziewać się najmniej spodziewanego.

Tytuł ma się nijak do treści. Pochwałka należy się za ostrą, gitarową muzykę zaserwowaną przez Danny'ego Elfmana, autora mojego ulubionego Sleepy Hollow OST. Aktorstwo utrzymuje się na poziomie, którego można się było spodziewać. Freeman operuje swoimi standardowymi minami podstarzałego bibliotekarza. James McAvoy całkiem fajnie przechodzi transformację od nieudacznika do pangalaktycznego wymiatacza. Jolie niewiele mówi, ale ma dobry body language i w jednej sekwencji widać jej goły tyłek.

Matrix miał klimat i te swoje intertekstualne smaczki. Na dodatek był oryginalny, efekty specjalne były bardziej przemyślane, a drewniana obsada aż tak nie wadziła; wytworzył wokół siebie wciągającą mitologię, serwował jakieś ogólne przesłanie, a sekwencje akcji były absolutnie przepyszne. Wanted nie ma żadnego z tych składników. Zamiast nich jest słaby żart i Angelina. Która, nawiasem mówiąc, ma obwisłą skórę na rękach, za wielkie usta i kwadratową twarz. I w ogóle mi się nie podoba.

Lepiej obejrzeć sobie jeszcze raz trylogię Wachowskich, a Wanted sobie zwyczajnie podarować.

(tratto da Nuovo Oggi di venerdì 4 luglio 2008) - Prima che uscisse nei cinema, i produttori avevano definito 'Wanted' come il nuovo Matrix. Effettivamente qualcosa del capolavoro dei fratelli Wachowski c'è nella pellicola diretta dal russo Timur Bekmambetov. Specie nella prima mezz'ora di film, sembra di rivivere l'odissea di Neo alla scoperta della realtà. La famose pillole blu e rossa non compaiono ovviamente in 'Wanted' ma c'è qualcosa di molto simile. Nonostante questo non si tratta di una scopiazzatura ma di un prodotto assolutamente originale. Con un finale a sorpresa che è davvero molto azzeccato. Complimenti a Bekmambetov, che con attori di calibro internazionale, ma con un cast tecnico eslusivamente russo è riuscito a creare un film che non ha nulla da invidiare ai più grandi lavori Hollywoodiani, a cominciare dagli effetti speciali davvero strepitosi.
La storia è quella di Wesley, un ragazzo un pò sfortunato in vari settori della sua vita, che scopre da una donna, Fox, che gli si avvicina in un grande magazzino, che il padre che credeva morto quando lui nasceva, in realtà é morto la sera prima ed era a capo di una specie di seta che accorpava spietati killer. La donna gli propone, come unico erede, di seguire le orme del padre, di scegliere se vivere la sua vita come "agnello" o come "Lupo".
Dietro alla trama c'è la filosofia di vita che gli abili sceneggiatori vogliono proporre al pubblico. Primo: ribellarsi alle regole non scritte che spesso la vita ci impone contro la nostra volontà. Un lavoro che non ci piace, una persona che riteniamo amica e che ci trama alle spalle, una donna che dice di amarci ed invece ci sfrutta e ci tradisce, un conto in banca che non ci aiuta di sicuro a guardare con ottimismo al futuro. Tutto questo può cambiare, bisogna guardarsi dentro, trovare la forza, reagire, lottare, combattere. In questo modo la realtà che noi la conosciamo può improvvisamente trasformarsi. Partendo da questo 'insegnamento' Bekmambetov realizza i sogni di ognuno di noi, anche se in modo estremo. Così ci possiamo licenziare dal lavoro insoddisfacente, dopo aver mandato al diavolo il nostro capo davanti a tutti i colleghi, possiamo spaccare una tastiera del computer sulla faccia all'amico che ci tradiva, possiamo farci vedere dalla nostra ormai ex in compagnia di una donna molto meglio di lei e farle capire cosa si è persa e gli errori imperdonabili che ha commesso nei nostri confronti, possiamo trovarci sul conto corrente tre milioni di dollari da un giorno all'altro.
Tutto questo è possibile, ci spiega Bekmambetov, perchè il nostro destino ce lo scegliamo noi. Attenzione però, una volta scelto il destino segue il suo percorso, la vita non perdona e prima o poi tutto torna. Così chi deve pagare paga, chiunque esso sia e qualunque sia la posta in palio.
Che la ruota gira per tutti lo sapevamo, ma 'Wanted' ce lo racconta nel modo più originale possibile. Ci spiazza, accellera il nostro battito cardiaco con inseguimenti mozzafiato, salti nel vuoto, proiettili in grado di curvare e ratti esplosivi.
Assolutamente da vedere, dopo aver allacciato le cinture di sicurezza. Il bianconiglio è pronto a condurci nuovamente nel paese delle meraviglie, questa volta però seduti sul carrello delle montagne russe.

Trailer Ufficiale del film

J.Lo shows off post twin bikini bod --> ONTD

Watch out Madrid, Wino is in town! --> Flawed Hollywood

Hogan Family is Idiotic & Crazy --> Socialite's Life

Florida Governor Engaged! When did he even get a g/f? --> Bumpshack

Evander Holyfield is a dead beat dad --> TMZ

A-Rod Is Under Vadge's Kabbalah Spell --> DListed

Wino pretends she can read --> Faded Youth Blog

Lindsay & Sam do Disneyland --> Just Jared

Morgan Freeman to play Nelson Mandela --> Starplus

Kate Hudson & Matthew McConaughey together again --> Hot Momma Gossip

First pix of the Terminator Salvation set --> Video ETA

Prior to Poitier's breakout role in 1950, the history of African-Americans in the motion picture industry has been checkered at best. Reflective of the attitudes of a largely racist nation, Black actors and filmmakers had been relegated to second-class citizenry. 35 years early, D.W. Grifith's racist manifesto, "Birth of a Nation" had become a cultural phenomenon even counting the sitting President, Woodrow Wilson as a fan.

While several moguls moved from east and created Hollywood, lone filmmaker and visionary Oscar Michauex was one of a few filmmakers that had the resources (barely) and imagination to tell our stories. Early Black actors struggled initially making the transition from silent to talking pictures and then dealing with a limited amount of roles which found them as butlers, servants, labor and criminals. Early stars such as Paul Robeson, Lena Horne, Lincoln Perry (Stephit Fetchit), Herb Jeffries, Nina McKinney, Spencer Williams, Mantan Moreland, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson found that because of the racism that existed in the South that their work could easily be cut out of films and then reinserted when their films played in the North.

Against all odds and in a matter that was unprecedented came Poitier. Possessing dashingly handsome looks, steely intensity and a deep-inner fire to succeed. Armed with that it took a leap of faith by studio chief Darryl Zanuck and director Joseph Mankiewicz to cast Poitier in the lead of the 1950 film "No Way Out." Poitier's searing feature film debut told the story of a doctor tending to slum residents whose ethics are put to the test when confronted with blind racism. Possessing a rare sense of "watchability," Poitier would forever shatter the myth that a Black actor couldn't be a leading man in Hollywood by becoming the first "above the title" Black movie star.

By the close of the decade, it was apparent that Poitier was on his way to being a major film star. He received either BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) or Golden Globe Award nominations for three of his films, "Edge of the City," "The Defiants Ones" and "Porgy and Bess." After two more nominations for "A Raisin in the Sun," Poitier made history becoming the first Black man to win Best Actor for his performance as a handyman in "Lillies of the Field."

Sidney Poitier's Best Actor Oscar Acceptance Speech, 1964

With universal respect from his fears, Poitier was fearless breaking one barrier after the next. He released three landmark films in 1967, "To Sir With Love," "In the Heat of the Night" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," and was snubbed for any major awards. His reward was being named the "Top Box Office Star" for that year.

His clean cut image became passé for many younger filmgoers who were turned off his association with the "old guard" of the industry. After several more high-profile studio movies, Poitier turned his attention to directing. He made his debut also starring in the Western, "Buck and Preacher." Teaming with Bill Cosby, Poitier co-starred in three films, "Uptown Saturday Night," "Let's Do It Again" and "A Piece of the Action." In 1980, he directed Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in the comedy, "Stir Crazy." The film grossed $101 million making Poitier the first black director to ever accomplish that feat.

While this trailblazer's star was on the decline, the torch would be passed to another young actor who possessed many of the same traits that Poitier had in his youth. This actor would build on Poitier's legacy and take it to heights never afforded to him. In a more open society, Denzel Washington has eclipsed Poitier as the most highly decorated Black actor in Hollywood history. A five-time Oscar nominee and two-time winner, Washington should have FOUR Oscars, but that's another story for another day.

Sidney Poitier Salutes Denzel Washington on His Oscar Win

Meanwhile the impact of Poitier's career was not just that he opened the door but that now a need breed of actors including Will Smith, Forest Whitaker, Don Cheadle, Djimon Hounsou, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburne, Jamie Foxx and Washington have carved significant niches within the fabric of the Hollywood fimmaking community establishing their own legacies.

It was fitting at the 2002 Oscars that not only would Poitier receive an Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievment that both Halle Berry and Washington would take home Best Actress and Actor on the same night. Poitier said it best that Washington's remarks were "the culmination of his career."

One of the charter members of the "O-Unit" (The Oscar Unit), Poitier's impact was so great that to measure his career you have to think of B.S (Before Sidney) and A.S. (After Sidney). For many actors of color today, Black, Hispanic and Asian, they enjoy relative success in Hollywood. While we still have a lot of work today, we need to take time to reflect on one of the true cinematic giants, Sidney Poitier, who dreamed a dream of a better tomorrow that not only came true but will continue to benefit all of us through the end of time - and that surely is no B.S.!

Sidney Poitier Accepting His Honorary Oscar, 2002

It's the title of a movie 'kay! I would describe it as a symphony of bullets & blood. Definitely 18SG. And I think it's probably rated R in the US. Maybe... Safe to say the blood splats reminds me of the movie 300 and THAT is definitely rated Mature.

I wanted (pun not intentional!) to watch this as I was very intrigued by the trailer. It has the kind of speed and angles like The Matrix; simply high octane action. And it does deliver in this context. From start to end it's action all the way. Bullets, cars, blood, pyrotechnics, etc. Mind you the storyline isn't fantastic.. this is not a mental show! It has its loose ends and some things don't really make sense but I guess that's what happens when you try to showcase ancient tradition with modern day fiction. Try to appreciate it for the mindless gore and you'll be fine!

Caution: IMHO this isn't a movie to show kids, simply because it is a quite violent and graphic in its depiction of murder & death. Fancy seeing bullets flying in slo-mo and piercing someones head? .. Now you know what I mean! As for the actors, Ayou might think that Angelina Jolie is the central character but rest assured she isn't. Me thinks her star appeal is predominantly being used to create hype and mileage to get ticket sales. Her character is very shallow and superficial, even when compared to James McAvoy.

What I do like about Wanted is the graphic novel feel of it. The fast action coupled with impossible camera angles in slo-mo is certainly a cool orchestration in CG and post-production. Like that bending of the bullets thing.. cool but the execution is a tad bit theatrical.

I would recommend this movie for action or sci-fi buffs, nothing more. In this area it does deliver brilliantly. Looking for something with more depth? I'd say Kungfu Panda is better! Really!

Likewise, Morgan Freeman seldom makes a bad movie.

Now add in a little over-the-top effects, some matrixy-type premises, and some scenes and spectacles that are, well, fairly original in a world where everything has already been done. Now cram 12 seconds of action into every 10 seconds of movie.

Ever seen two bullets collide in midair? You will. And I won't give away my favorite action sequence, but suffice to say that for the first time in years, my jaw dropped open and stayed there.

Sure, this movie made me roll my eyes once or twice, and made me snicker once or twice. And maybe it killed a few brain cells -- but I've got more.

This is a movie I will see at least twice. You should see it at least once.

Read the entire article HERE.

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Questo afoso, primo mercoledì di luglio ci offre l'uscita di Wanted, film tutto adrenalina e azione diretto da Timur Bekmambetov (il grande irreprensibile Bekmambetov direbbe Aldo). Devo ammettere di essere partito un po' diffidente nei confronti di questo film, e la proiezione devastata da continui problemi tecnici in sala non mi ha affatto messo di buonumore. Perciò, se siete usciti entusiasti dal cinema, siate magnanimi verso questa nevrotica recensione ;) .

Il film racconta le vicende di Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy, che da L'ultimo re di Scozia non sa fare a meno di ematomi e volto sporco di sangue), anonimo impiegato contabile con la vita a rotoli: sul lavoro un disastro, e anche la vita privata non è che offra grosse gratificazioni :roll: . Questo quadretto idilliaco viene sconvolto dall'entrata in scena di Fox (Angelina Jolie) e della sua organizzazione, La Confraternita, capeggiata dal misterioso Sloan (Morgan Freeman). La Confraternita addestrerà Gibson a sviluppare le sue capacità innate e diventare così un killer degno di competere con il ribelle Cross, assassino tra l'altro del padre perduto del ragazzo.

Questo è pressapoco l'inizio della trama del film, che si basa fondamentalmente sul concetto di destino e su come esso opera nella vita degli uomini: lo stesso protagonista è una nullità, che prende al volo il classico treno che passa solo una volta nella vita per migliorare la propria condizione ed uscire dall'anonimato. Il fato è il filo conduttore che governa anche la misteriosa Confraternita, non a caso, come racconta l'introduzione del film, fondata da un gruppo di tessitori ormai più di mille anni fa.

McAvoy è perfetto per il ruolo, un po' meno per il "post-addestramento"; l'interpretazione di Morgan Freeman è sufficiente, abbastanza simile al ruolo già ricoperto in Slevin. Che dire della Jolie? Conturbante, affascinante, bellissima (sebbene non mi faccia impazzire)...ma che altro? Sinceramente preferisco la Jolie impegnata socialmente, la mamma affettuosa, la "signora Pitt" :) , spero che questa donna non venga ricordata solo per la sua indiscutibile bellezza. Certamente questo ruolo non verrà ricordato come l'apice della sua carriera, ho trovato il suo personaggio abbastanza anonimo e muto sulla scena. Le sequenze d'azione sono veramente coinvolgenti e ben fatte, e la trama nasconde nel corso del film qualche colpo di scena ben azzeccato; non ho apprezzato particolarmente il finale, di stampo quasi "videoludico" (non posso dirvi niente di più, se vedrete il film magari capirete :) ).

Come concludere quindi questa recensione di Wanted? Un buon film d'azione, con elementi fumettistici (dai quali è tratta la pellicola) ben innestati e supportato dagli effetti speciali, ma che non mi soddisfa appieno per quanto riguarda lo sviluppo della trama. Un film da vedere un paio di volte e niente più, sicuramente non farà parte della mia collezione di dvd.

Voto:6,5

Note a margine:

• Dopo "sono solo un biochimico", "sono solo un contabile" :D.
• Nel cast c'è anche Chris Pratt, fratello fallito di Amy in Everwood; ruolo che, ancora oggi, gli riesce particolarmente bene :) .

The premise is pretty simple, lowly cubical-jockey Wesley Gibson (McAvoy) is pulled from his life of drudgery into "The Fraternity," an elite group of assassins who's goal is to keep the world safe by eliminating its most dangerous individuals. The simple premise gets a bit less simple when it is revealed that these names are gathered by interpreting a magic loom, but I digress.

The premise itself really doesn't matter. What matters are the awesome gun battles, unbelievable camera angles, and getting to see an almost naked Angelina Jolie.

...which is nice.

The reason the premise of "Wanted" doesn't matter is that because as soon as you start wondering about anything in this film (how the magic loom works, the reasons for the character's actions, the physics of the film's numerous bullets which would cause the crew of "MythBusters" to laugh out loud) the film begins to fall apart.

So why does it break the old "thumbs-up/thumbs-down" scale?

Because the movie is genuinely entertaining. The writing is razor sharp, the acting is top-notch, and the movie looked so good I now plan to see what else director Timur Bekmambetov has done in the past.

When you think about it (which I already advised you not to do) the film is crap; but it will be the most entertaining crap you've seen in a long time.

-Beans

"Pure Unadulterated  Badassery" is how I was warned Wanted would be.  To tell the truth, I wasn't ready.  This movie is definitely more of a ride than any I've seen this summer.  Indiana Jones wishes he was still as cool as Fox (Jolie).  If you come to the theater expecting nothing more than a thrill, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, this is actually well written.

OK, so the plot is basically the Matrix part 4.  Hot woman brings man into a world different than his own, where he will sink or swim.  Then add the cool special effects, and you've got yourself a movie right?  Director Timur Bekmambetov has a bunch of tricks up his sleeve that may or may not have been taken from the graphic novel.  I have purist friends who don't even approve of V for Vendetta, a movie I thought no one could dislike.  This sparks an interesting debate to those who are fans of the novels.  Can a movie capture what the pages of a glorified comic can?  Or is it even simpler.  Are we witnessing the great heists of intellectual property, merely signed over to studios for profit?  Whatever the case, Wanted is still pretty fun to watch...

McAvoy's voice over is one of the few elements of the movie I disliked.  Just like the movie Choke, the Chuck Palahniuk I ceremoniously fell asleep during at Sundance, I found it funny at first, and intrusive later.  McAvoy's American accent is hilarious, but the voice over becomes unnecessary as the guns do most of the talking.  Indeed, while Angelina receives the male gaze, she doesn't talk much.  Timur probably thought her eyes were seductive enough (he's right) and words would fall short.  No matter how commercial Jolie has become, let's all remember she has an Oscar, and should be treated with respect.

Morgan Freeman can't seem to get enough of this type of story.  He serves as Batman's loyal techie, and here he plays an under boss.  The parallels to the Matrix are apparent, but there is a little Gotham in Wanted too.  Last summer they filmed The Dark Knight in Chicago (setting of Wanted), The Fraternity has a lair, and McAvoy does a little training stint reminiscent of Liam Neeson and Christian Bale.  Freeman is also attached to one of the best voice overs of all time, The Shawshank Redemption.

The voice over is a small hang up I have with a really entertaining movie.  I wasn't thinking about it until after, when I realized it was completely abandoned for a better plot than I expected.  Writers Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, and Chris Morgan made a great screenplay. I do wonder however  how much is theirs, and how much is Mark Millar's the creator of the comic miniseries.

If you want to see the nude rump of Angelina Jolie, or maybe even a good movie, check out Wanted, a solid time at the movies.

***This was the first movie I saw in LA.  I visited the Arc Light theater on Sunset Boulevard.  I visited with only a recommendation, so I walked in the wrong entrance (naturally) and stood around looking for a ticket vendor.  The place is MASSIVE.  When you walk in the proper entrance, us country folk that are used to multiplexes will notice the difference immediately.  A cafe greats anyone with time to kill or the need for a drink.  Their help desk is called "Guest Services" rather than "Information Desk".  The lines form beneath the massive movie board, rotating and actually showing which movies are playing in which theater.  This makes all the difference you see because Arc Light has one very famous theater called "The Dome".  Check specs out here.  So I buy my ticket, and they actually ask me where I want to sit.  This is an assigned seating theater, and I pick out a nice center of the theater seat.  The tickets are printed (custom, like a trip to broadway) and I walk down to my theater.

I'm greeted by no less than 3 ushers, pleasantly smiling and asking if I need assistance (I'm basically looking around in awe) until I arrive at Theater 6.  An usher directs me to my seat and I notice something strange....my feet are on carpet!  The chairs are actually comfortable!  There is an arm rest that has a padded cushion!  And the first row where you usually break your neck looking up?  Has been moved back!  There is not one bad seat in this theater.  In addition my ears hear the soft classical music I'd be accustomed to at the Kennedy Center.  Am I still in a movie theater?  No, this is an art house, committed to preserving the art of film.  An usher makes an announcement before the movie begins (no "20" or gaudy commercials leading up to the preview) to shut off cell phones, and tries to get us riled up for the movie.  Oh, and once the previews begin?  NO ONE is allowed into the theater.  That's right, no one is allowed to walk into the theater after the previews begin.  If you have to go to the bathroom you can get back in, but this is a little detail ArcLight has going for it.

If you are ever in LA call me, I'll take you to the Arc Light.  It's an amazing place.  My previous favorite theater was E Street Cinema, in Washington D.C.  It's intimate, and they show the kind of movies I would some day like to make.  Arc Light is much in the same vein as far as commitment, but has a much bigger budget to wow audiences.  I'm going to be very happy at the movies in LA :-)

La premisa de partida és prou interessant: ajuntar dos personatges, el ric i el sabi, que saben que els queda molt poc temps de vida, per a veure com poden aprofitar el poc temps que els queda. Afegiu-li una parella protagonista estelar, Jack Nicholson i Morgan Freeman i teniu un producte més que prometedor.

Si The Bucket List l'hagués dirigida Scorsese, segurament hagués muntat un drama i hagués exprimit el talent de la parella d'actors buscant escenes elèctriques, de confrontació i el film hagués estat nominat a un parell d'Oscars. Però qui l'ha dirigida és Rob Reiner, un home a qui li agrada fer comèdies amables i pel·lícules d'èxit, o sigui que ens serveix una comèdia molt agradable de veure i que lateralment planteja alguna pregunta interessant.

Tot i així, The Bucket List està molt millor que la majoria d'ensucraments hollywoodencs a favor de la família que ja estem acostumats a patir. Hi ha gags previsibles, n'hi ha de més aconseguits, i hi ha un guió tant previsible com eficaç. Però sobretot hi ha un parell d'actors com n'hi ha pocs que t'apropen la història fins a la pell, humanitzen el relat i emplenen la pantalla.

A mi m'ha agradat molt, més del que m'esperava.

Adient si voleu passar una bona estona sense complicacions. Contraindicat pels fanàtics de Bergman.

Salut i sort,
Ivan.

หลังจากที่เพื่อนๆ มากหลายคน jui, pradt, nubalm โพสต์ entry เชีียร์ให้ไปดู Wanted หนังแอ๊คชั่นฟอร์มใหญ่ที่สร้างจากการ์ตูนชื่อเดียวกัน ฝีมือผู้กำกับ Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch, Day Watch) พร้อมดาราดังคับคั่งอย่าง เจมส์ แมคอะวอย แองเจลิน่า โจลี่ มอร์แกน ฟรีแมน มาพร้อมกับ sfx เท่ๆ กับฉากซิ่งรถแบบเทพๆ ฉากยิงปืนกระสุนเลี้ยวได้ โอ้ว แม่เจ้าคิดได้ไง เอาว่าเข้าไปดูแก้เครียดจากการเมืองเฮงซวยที่วันๆ ไม่ทำอะไร ใช้ปากบริหารบ้านเมืองอย่างเดีียว ก็คุ้มค่าเงินแล้วล่ะ :-D น่าจะให้พี่พระเอกเอาปืนกระสุนเลี้ยวยิงใส่กบาล แล้วพ่นประโยคเด็ดที่ว่า "What the f#&k have you done lately?"

ใครเป็นลูกค้า dtac แบบ goood reward ล่ะก็ถ้าไปดูหนังในเครือ SF ล่ะก็จะได้ส่วนลด 20 กับ 40 บาท ตามประเภทของสมาชิกนะ กระผมเป็นแค่ goood member เลยได้ลด 20 บาท วิธีเช็คก็แค่กด *140*1# แล้วกดโทรออก แล้วยื่นให้พนักงานดู ถ้าขี้เกียจจำก็ยื่นโทรศัพท์ให้พนักงานขายแทนก็ได้ 555 ;-)

ภาพจาก: UMDb

El que està portat una mica pels péls és com un pare i el seu fill es veuen involucrats en l'argument, aquell sentit de la justícia que només tenen els nordamericans? Perquè, un 99,99% de les persones giraríem cua i ens voldríem oblidar el més aviat possible.