Nightcrawler (2014)

7.6/10 by 1405 users

NIGHTCRAWLER is a thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling - where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story.

User Reviews

Nightcrawler is slang. I will not ruin or spoil anything in this review. Jake Gylenhall has never been better. His character must have been incredibly hard to play, and you will see why. There is a reason this Thriller & Drama opened on Halloween. His character is ambitious to a fault & highly intelligent. He interacts most often with Rene Russo & a man he calls his intern. If you thought Julius Caesar was ambitious or Alexander the Great, this character must have the same motivation to succeed minus the goal of conquering the world. Needless to say he is driven. Russo is also ambitious, so they make a good team. The difference is how far each is willing to cross the lines of morality, legality & humanity. 

The movie is original in every sense. There has never been a movie similar in the character or the situation, and the movie makes an open commentary about an important but not political aspect of American society. To say it was gripping would be literal. I looked down at one point, and I was clutching my outer thigh. The movie is tense & intense. Every move seems known to Gylenhall but not to anyone else. If you like entrepreneurs, this movie will appeal to that in one aspect. Overall, it is definitely a Thriller full of danger & illegality. It is Gylenhall versus the world, if he were a diplomat & the world represented achieving his goals. That's his character around others. When left unwatched, even for a moment, he devolves into a character that does whatever it takes. 

See this movie for the originality. See it if you enjoy thrillers. See it because he gives the best acting performance of his life in a character with many sides. See it for fun. See it for a cool fast car. Or, the fact it is tracking above 8 stars out of 10 which is about as good as it gets on IMDb, considering that is the average of thousands & thousands of ratings by people as diverse as patrons watching on a Washington, D.C theater. From that number you can safely predict it's very likely you will find it as highly entertaining as the international average (plus or minus 1 star). In my estimation, I reserve a 9/10 rating for the best of the best. 10/10 stars are for the greatest movies. This is easily the best of the best. 

One friendly tip: If you are on heart, or anxiety medication, take it as scheduled or if it's as needed, make sure it's within reach.

Release Date	:	Oct 31, 2014
Runtime	:	117 minutes
Genres	:	Crime, Drama, Thriller
Production Company	:	Bold Films, Open Road Films
Production Countries	:	United States of America
Casts	:	Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Paxton, Rene Russo, Kevin Rahm, Riz Ahmed, Kathleen York, Ann Cusack, Carolyn Gilroy, Michael Hyatt, Price Carson, Michael Papajohn
Plot Keywords	:	journalism, underground, tv station, sociopath, home invasion,car chase, scrap metal, stringer

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Gotham (2014)

7.5/10 by 91 users

In crime ridden Gotham City, Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered before young Bruce Wayne's eyes. Although the idealistic Gotham City Police Dept. detective James Gordon, and his cynical partner, Harvey Bullock, seem to solve the case quickly, things are not so simple. Inspired by Bruce's traumatized desire for justice, Gordon vows to find it amid Gotham's corruption. Thus begins Gordon's lonely quest that would set him against his own comrades and the underworld with their own deadly rivalries and mysteries. In the coming wars, innocence will be lost and compromises will be made as some criminals will fall as casualties while others will rise as supervillains. All the while, young Bruce observes this war with a growing obsession that would one day drive him to seek his own revenge as The Batman.

User Reviews

Of late, I have realized that TV content is getting developed much better than movies and I find myself binge-watching many recent TV series than movies. This is happening all the more because of the gripping and taut story lines (TV shows, given their length, used to ramble on about the plot, but thankfully no more) and brilliant overall delivery. 

Gotham stands out even amongst this new wave of brilliant TV shows. The first season of Gotham exuded brilliance. Tight direction, brilliant (overkilling this word no?) acting, fantastic casting and this amalgamation is truly one for the ages. Every cast member seems to be perfect for their role and they deliver and how!! 

Without giving much away, Jada Pinkett Smith, you ma'am are as much of a powerhouse performer as your famous husband! What a performance by her! Every scene she is in, she totally steals the show. Robin Lord Taylor is mesmerizing in his role of Oswald Cobblepot. I found the entire cast to be perfect and the above two were mentioned for no particular reason but for their sheer brilliance on screen. 

As a fellow reviewer, I too thought another 'Batman Begins' won't be much fun but I did expect some detailing seeing this is a TV show. But was I blown away! This was more of a Jim Gordon Begins or more correctly, Ascends kinda story. This storyline works perfect for this show as gradually the different villains are introduced in their own chilling manner (and man, the violence and mafia story lines are a delight) and gradually build up to why Gotham would end up needing a masked (and caped) crusader! Anyway, that's where I hope the future seasons are going. A lot to look forward to in Season 2 of Gotham and boy it sure looks promising!

Seasons : 0 1 2

Title	:	Gotham
First Air Date	:	Sep 22, 2014
Last Air Date	:	Nov 30, 2015
Number of Episodes	:	33
Number of Seasons	:	2
Genres	:	Drama, Fantasy, Thriller, Crime
Networks	:	Fox Broadcasting Company
Casts	:	Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Zabryna Guevara,Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Erin Richards, Camren Bicondova, Cory Michael Smith, James Frain, Chris Chalk
Alternative Titles	:	哥谭市, 暗都歌谭, 歌谭镇, DC's Ghotham
Plot Keywords	:

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Fargo (2014)

8/10 by 64 users

The all new "true crime" case of Fargo's new chapter travels back to 1979 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Luverne, Minnesota, where a young State Police Officer Lou Solverson, recently back from Vietnam, investigates a case involving a local crime gang and a major Mob syndicate. Helping him piece things together is his father-in-law, Sheriff Hank Larsson. The investigation will lead them to a colorful cast of characters that includes Karl Weathers, the town lawyer of Luverne, Minnesota. A Korean War vet, Karl is a flowery drunk blessed with the gift of gab and the eloquence of a true con artist. Joe Bulo, the front man for the northern expansion of a Kansas City crime syndicate. The new face of corporate crime, Joe's bringing a Walmart mentality to small town America. His number two is Mike Milligan. Part enforcer, part detective, Mike is always smiling - but the joke is usually on you. Bulo and his crew have their sights set on the Gerhardt crime family in Fargo, currently led by ...

User Reviews

I loved the movie. And with the first episode, I fell for the series, too. As new episodes played, my heart skipped many beats and lo & behold, it ended without a bang. While, at least 5 episodes are a full 10/10 for me, the finale failed to spark.

Starting off with strict references to the 1996 film, it talks about a psychopath who is on a mission in another city, played charismatically by Billy Bob Thornton. I loved his air & nuanced performance. Then comes Martin Freeman, out of the neighborhood Sherlock sets, as that jittery underachiever who has a nagging wife. Things start to climb up when Freeman's character bumps into his high-school friend. Next, he meets Thornton's character & boom! What follows is an interwoven plot which refers the original film.

Crime has been brilliantly showcased in this series, including the finale and that is the main point. What follows next is as horrendous as the last minutes of the film. One after another, the thrills catch up with our heart's pumping pace as the characters grow out of their shells and reveal grave, suppressed expressions. It reflects human psychology brilliantly and in just the last 20 minutes. We feel sad, funny, pity, excited - for the images on- screen are brilliantly written. Music is very supportive.

Yes, this is better than the complex True Detective. It is hard-hitting, folks and what more could a dark crime plot ask for a setup than Minnesota. Noah Hawley writes with his brain open and succeeds in making a point or two. His tale is driven my 2014's best background score. If you doubt that, try searching Google for the "Mr. Numbers & Mr. Wrench" track and you will see how nuts is the web for the music.

Seasons : 1 2

Title	:	Fargo
First Air Date	:	Apr 15, 2014
Last Air Date	:	Dec 14, 2015
Number of Episodes	:	20
Number of Seasons	:	2
Genres	:	Crime, Drama, Thriller
Networks	:	FX
Casts	:	Patrick Wilson, Ted Danson, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Jean Smart, Nick Offerman, Jeffrey Donovan, Rachel Keller, Keir O'Donnell, Cristin Milioti, Bokeem Woodbine
Alternative Titles	:
Plot Keywords	:

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Arrow (2012)

7.4/10 by 182 users

Oliver Queen and his father are lost at sea when their luxury yacht sinks, apparently in a storm. His father dies, but Oliver survives for five years on an uncharted island and eventually returns home. But he wasn't alone on the island where he learned not only how to fight and survive but also of his father's corruption and unscrupulous business dealings. He returns to civilization a changed man, determined to put things right. He disguises himself with the hood of one of his mysterious island mentors, arms himself with a bow and sets about hunting down the men and women who have corrupted his city.

User Reviews

I do not usually write reviews but maybe for some bad criticism from other people I would like to state my opinion. This show had a really bad start but after watching some more episodes the plot holes and everything started to get wrapped up... I really like Stephen Amells acting as he tries to be both a rich billionaire and at the same time a deadly vigilante. The only thing that bothers me a little bit is the bad written villains that appear on the show...and I think it gets fixed on later episodes... I hope that it will somewhat blend with other DC superheros in the near future.

Just give this show a chance and you will not regret it.

Seasons : 0 1 2 3 4

Title	:	Arrow
First Air Date	:	Oct 10, 2012
Last Air Date	:	Feb 10, 2016
Number of Episodes	:	82
Number of Seasons	:	4
Genres	:	Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Science Fiction
Networks	:	The CW
Casts	:	Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, Paul Blackthorne, David Ramsey,Willa Holland, Emily Bett Rickards, John Barrowman
Alternative Titles	:	DC's Arrow, Стрелата, Arqueiro, DC's Arrow, Βέλος, پیکان, Ok
Plot Keywords	:

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The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

8.2/10 by 4262 users

Chronicles the experiences of a formerly successful banker as a prisoner in the gloomy jailhouse of Shawshank after being found guilty of a crime he claims he did not commit. The film portrays the man's unique way of dealing with his new, torturous life; along the way he befriends a number of fellow prisoners, most notably a wise long-term inmate named Red.

User Reviews

Why do I want to write the 234th comment on The Shawshank Redemption? I am not sure - almost everything that could be possibly said about it has been said. But like so many other people who wrote comments, I was and am profoundly moved by this simple and eloquent depiction of hope and friendship and redemption. 

The only other movie I have ever seen that effects me as strongly is To Kill a Mockingbird. Both movies leave me feeling cleaner for having watched them.

I didn't intend to see this movie at all: I do not like prison movies and I don't normally watch them. I work at a branch library and one day as I was checking The Shawshank Redemption out to one of our older patrons, she said to me, "Whenever I feel down or depressed, I check out this movie and watch it and it always makes me feel better." At the time, I thought that was very strange. One day there was nothing on TV except things I absolutely would not watch under any circumstance or things that I had seen too many times already. I remembered what she said, so I watched it. I have watched it many many times since then and it gets better with every showing.

No action, no special effects - just men in prison uniforms talking to each other.

The Shawshank Redemption and To Kill a Mockingbird are the best movies I have ever seen. I do not judge it by it's technical merits - I don't really care about that. I have read that Citizen Kane or The Godfather or this or that movie is the best movie ever made. They may have the best technique or be the most influential motion pictures ever made, but not the best. The best movies are ones that touch the soul. It takes a movie like The Shawshank Redemption to touch the soul.

Release Date	:	Sep 14, 1994
Runtime	:	142 minutes
Genres	:	Drama, Crime
Production Company	:	Castle Rock Entertainment
Production Countries	:	United States of America
Casts	:	Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler,Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, Mark Rolston, James Whitmore,Jeffrey DeMunn, Larry Brandenburg, Neil Giuntoli
Plot Keywords	:	prison, corruption, police brutality, prison cell, delinquent, parole board, escape from prison, wrongful imprisonment, framed for murder, 1940s, first person narration, 해피엔딩, 감옥, 교도소, 희망적인, 탈옥

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Point Break (2015)

6.6/10 by 9 users

Storyline

A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. Deep undercover, and with his life in danger, he strives to prove these athletes are the architects of the mind-boggling crimes that are devastating the world's financial markets. Filmed on four continents, North America, Europe, South America and Asia, "Point Break" presents extraordinary feats performed by the world's top extreme sports athletes, and involves some of the most daring exploits ever committed to film. Extreme sports featured include snowboarding, wingsuit flying, free rock climbing, high-speed motocross, and surfing 70-foot waves.

User Reviews

Memories of an 80's or early 90's cult classic can often cloud your judgment when a reboot or remake comes on to the scene. I have to be honest with myself, the original isn't a work of art and it doesn't age well. After recently watching the 1991 version, it was obvious that my memory of the movie was way better than the actual thing. While the campiness and bad acting might have worked when I was a young teenager, it now feels like a self-parody.

Let's jump to present day. It's apparent from the opening scene that the new version of "Point Break" is trying to have it's own identity. The motocross scene immediately grabs hold of you and squeezes till your left breathless when they make their jump of the cliff. Knowing that this is REAL stunt work and not special effects is what really makes this a fun action movie. It's the same reason why we watch Jackie Chan movies because we know he's putting himself on the line in his fight and stunt sequences. People often compare fight sequences as a dance / art. I believe that it's the same for surfing, motocross, snowboarding and wing suit flying. And the great cinematography really amplify those moments in the film. 

When it comes to the story, I expected as much as an action movie was going to give. I will say that the new version of Point Break tries to create layers that were not in the original film. But the bar is low enough that practically anything is an improvement from the original storyline. But regardless, it kept me interested since I already knew how the movie was going to end. The journey was slightly different for the characters so it was fun watching a new take on it.

As for the acting, they aren't trying to reinvent Reeves or Swayze. While that is a good thing, it also has it's drawbacks. Perhaps because I am now "grown up", I don't care for the campiness and less-than-stellar acting of the original. The new faces in this version of the movie do a good job but they don't have the same dynamic or charisma as Reeves or Swayze. But what they do establish a thousand times better is their kinship. The bro-love of the original feels paper thin but in the new movie feels organic and realistic. 

Overall, this is supposed to be a fun movie to sit down with your popcorn and just go along for the ride. I don't want it to be the original "Point Break" but I'm not expecting Citizen Kane. It's an action movie that entertains. Watching the stunt sequences alone was worth the price of admission. When I'm watching a movie like this, I want to say, "Whoa" out loud during action sequences and this movie does not disappoint.

Release Date	:	Dec 31, 2015
Runtime	:	114 minutes
Genres	:	Crime, Action, Thriller
Production Company	:	Warner Bros. Pictures, Alcon Entertainment, DMG Entertainment
Production Countries	:	United States of America
Casts	:	Luke Bracey, Edgar Ramírez, Ray Winstone, Teresa Palmer,Delroy Lindo, Tobias Santelmann, James Le Gros, Bojesse Christopher, Clemens Schick, Matias Varela, Nikolai Kinski
Plot Keywords	:

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