DJ Akhu's Movie Reviews: 'Topkapi" (1964)

Movie: Topkapi (1964)

Director: Jules Dassin

Rating: 9/10 Stars *********

Topkapi is an awesome/classic jewel thief movie because it was one of the first of its kind (as far as I am aware)! A group professional thieves takes on a the challenge of stealing a valuable knife from one of Turkey's big museums. Along the way they recruit the unlikely but likable Peter Ustinov, and a not so serious adventure begins. Great shots of Istanbul in the 1960's, makes me want to visit.

DJ Akhu's Movie Reviews: Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

Movie: Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Rating: 6.6/10 Stars ******'

I finally caught the whole thing on one of the movie channels tonight, and my what an attractive cast, which really is what makes the movie worth watching at all (Obviously Jovovich). Alice continues her quest through post-apocalyptic world trying to find a rumoured safe-haven, and on her journey she meets up with some companions as well as close encounters with zombies and super-zombies, and it that is your thing you will dig it, nuff said. I'm already looking forward to the latest one from this year!

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: "Mostly Martha (Bella Martha)" (2001)

Movie: Mostly Martha (Bella Martha) (2001)
Director: Sandra Nettelbeck
Rating: 8.8/10 Stars ********"

I never cease to be amazed at how much better European movies and actors are than their American counterparts, probably has to do with the fact that Hollyweird is all about the bucks, and only formula movies get a pass when it comes down to that. This movie, however, is quite good and about a top female-chef in Germany who's sister has just died and by default adopts her 8 year old niece who is going through the trauma of losing her parent at such a young age (also never having met her Father who lives far away in Italy). Seems realistic and a bit intense, but not too intense, their is tragedy and comedy in this one, so take your pick.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Monsters' (2010)

Movie: Monsters (2010)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Rating: 5/10 Stars *****

Arrrghh, I keep falling farther and farther behind on my movie reviews, will need to seriously catch up at some point. I Saw this on Netflix streaming. Its a sci-fi thriller about a photographer for a big media outlet who is assigned by an company executive to escort his daughter out of Mexico, which has been over-run by alien beings (basically giant floating octopi, which is so over-used by alien sci-fi movies) and back into the USA. This movie was hardly good, but entertaining if you can't decide what else to watch, and I believe their may be some undertones of social commentary going on regarding illegal immigration and the whole US-Mexico anti-immigration mumbo jumbo going on.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Smiling Lieutenant' (1931)

Movie: The Smiling Lieutenant (1931)
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Rating: 6.5/10 Stars ******'

A musical from 1931, and an oldie at that. Probably one of the first years movies starting having audio. Quite a non-serious and more comedy oriented musical about a lieutenant (Chevalier) and his romance with a Viennese violin player, only to be confused by a visiting princess' crush after a fateful wink and smile. Check it out, its funny and seriously old school. Its good though, to have some variety in the movie reviews, old and new, they've all had their moment under the bright lights.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)

Movie: Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
Director: Susanne Bier
Rating: 7.2/10 Stars *******'

Another interesting film by Danish Director Susanne Bier, and this time with quite a star-studded cast! A wife and mother (Berry) loses her husband when he attempts to save a woman from domestic violence. Berry's character tracks down her deceased husband's (Duchovny) best friend, who also happens to be a struggling heroin addict who is in and out of rehab (Del Toro). This movie shows something about times of transition and change in families and how relationship dynamics change and are affected when a family member dies. Check this one out, but be prepared for heavy.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Jump Tomorrow' (2001)

Movie: Jump Tomorrow (2001)
Director: Joel Hopkins
Rating: 7.9/10 Stars *******'

Sorry for the gap in posts fans, I've been a bit busier as of late and not much time to post but I am back with another, and really need to catch up on my movie reviews list! This movie was good, and different too. A romantic comedy about George, who is set (by his family) to be married to fellow Nigerian family friend but falls in love with a Spanish woman he randomly meets at the airport. Their lives seem to synchronize as George and his newfound French-pal (Girardot), make their way to George's looming wedding. and they get more than one chance at discovering their true feelings for each other despite the expectations of others. Check this one out, its a good laugh, and check out the soundtrack, its quite good. 

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Forest for the Trees (Der Wald vor lauter Baumen)' (2006)

Movie: The Forest for the Trees (Der Wald vor lauter Baumen) (2006)
Director:Maren Ade
My Rating: 6.1/10 Stars *****'

This movie was stressful to watch. A young school-teacher begins a new position at a new school in a new town after leaving a long-term relationship behind her. This movie is really about relationships, and what happens when people don't know how, or are un-willing to establish strong boundaries between themselves and others, between what is acceptable to them and what is not. I found this movie to be quite realistic from my own experience as I have known very socially awkward people who constantly over-step boundaries and who just don't seem to have an innate sense of what is appropriate and what isn't, and the character in this movie has this problem with her students and with her attempts to make new friends. Be prepared to be stressed, not an upbeat movie by any means. Sorry, couldn't find a trailer for this online.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Baxter' (2005)

Movie: The Baxter (2005)
Director: Michael Showalter
My Rating: 6.9/10 Stars ******'

This movie is funny and worth checking out once. Nerdy and stable Elliot (Showalter, also the Director) seems to have the curse of getting into relationships with women, who then end up reuniting with their ex-boyfriends and running off with them. He calls himself a 'Baxter' due to this happening to him multiple times during his young adult life. Check this one out if you are looking for a light-hearted romantic comedy. 

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Americanization of Emily' (1964)

Movie: The Americanization of Emily (1964)

Director: Arthur Hiller

Rating: 8.0/10 Stars ********

An interesting and funny movie about a Navy-man (Garner) who is given the ludicrous task by his Admiral of photographing the first body on Omaha beach (on D-Day) to give good press to the Navy and thus avoid the splitting of the Navy and Air-Force. Also a love story in this one between Garner and Andrews which keeps it entertaining.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Who's Harry Crumb' (1989)

Movie: Who's Harry Crumb (1989)
Director: Paul Flaherty
Rating: 6.4/10 Stars ******'

I gave this one 6.4 stars mainly because of John Candy. Candy plays a clumsy private detective (much like a Pink Panther or Naked Gun sort) who is called up to investigate the kidnapping of a billionaire's daughter. Not Candy's best, but still worth watching at least once for a few good laughs and by the simple fact that it stars John Candy. 

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Elvis and Annabelle' (2007)

Movie: Elvis and Annabelle (2007)
Director:Will Geiger
Rating: 5.2/10 Stars *****'

An unusual love story about a Southern beauty queen who dies and comes back to life on the mortician's table, when he kisses her dead body. A romance and drama ensues as the lives of everyone involved change dramatically. This one was different and keeps you interested, but not one I would watch again. Definitely more of a chick-flick/love story kind of movie, but also a bit quirky.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' (2010)

Movie: Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
Director: Werner Herzog
Rating: 8/10 Stars ********

Wow! 32,000 year old cave art, take that Bible-thumpers! This is a doco about a cave that was discovered in Southern France in 1994 by archeologists, and which was preserved due to a landslide, and contains cave paintings that date as the oldest evidence of human civilization yet known. Check this movie out, it will blow your mind, if you have one of your own. 

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'A Summer In Genoa' (2008)

Movie: A Summer In Genoa (2008)
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Rating: 7.0/10 Stars *******

An interesting, as well as sad movie about a father and two daughters who move to Genoa for a Summer 6 months after the mother/wife is killed in a car accident. The daughters and husband are all still dealing with the recent death and also trying to live on, and my favorite part of the movie is the fact that you get heaps of great shots and settings of Genoa, Italy, which is clearly one of those exotic and sunny Mediterranean cities of Italy. Check this movie out, even if just for the travel-show aspects, but expect some dramatic scenes and emotions. 

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Adam's Apples (Adams æbler)' (2005)

Movie: Adam's Apples (Adams æbler) (2005)

Director: Anders Thomas Jensen

Rating: 7.6/10 Stars *******'

Definitely not your ordinary movie, but in a good way. A neo-nazi is parolled to a small church in rural Norway, where he has to get along with a few other ex-cons and an eccentric minister who seems to be a bit out of touch with reality, and yet highly influential to the people he is responsible for. Check this one out if you want to see something different from the usual, it is a little bit strange, but worth watching once.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Here and There' (2009)

Movie: Here and There (2009)

Director: Darko Lungulov
Rating: 6.9/10 Stars ******'
Quite an interesting film about a depressed, down and out, as well as broke American saxophonist from New York who goes to Belgrade, Serbia to marry his friend's girlfriend (for money of course) so that she can come to America to be with him. Gives one a fresh look at world travel and what post-war Serbia is like now. There is more to the movie than that I won't go into, but know I say its worth watching at least once. 

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Me and Orson Welles' (2008)

Movie: Me and Orson Welles (2008)

Director: Richard Linklater

Rating: 7.8/10 stars *******'

This one is a solid 4/5 stars for me because the acting is good, and the story is interesting, as well as true. Christian Mckay's role as Orson Welles is impeccable, and makes the movie worth watching alone, and award worthy in my opinion. Zac Efron and is okay, and its nice to see Claire Danes again, she is' all growed up' :) Check this one out if you haven't already.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Adjustment Bureau' (2011)

Movie: The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Director: George Nolfi

Rating: 6.9/10 Stars ******'
A decent conspiracy flick, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt work well together which makes it better. Damon's character is a NY politician running for senate, until he meets Emily Blunt's character and these strange men in dark suits and hats come along and shake up his reality. Definitely not an original plot-line, and hey, maybe Matt Damon should run for political office after all, he pulled it off well in this one. Check it out.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space' (1988)

Movie: Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

Director: Stephen Chiodo

Rating: 2.6/5 Stars **'

Wowsers! I forgot how awesome this movie was! And of course its on Netflix streaming, so of course I had to watch it. A true 80s horror-comedy classic, although its hardly a horror movie, and more of a campy-comedy that's just in time for Halloween, don't miss it! It even has its own killa-theme-song :-)

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Howard the Duck' (1986)

Movie: Howard the Duck (1986)

Director: Willard Huyck

Rating: 2.4/5 stars **'

Watched this one again, due to being on Netflix Streaming of course, and it had been about 12 years since I last had seen it. I forgot how un-serious the movie actually is, and still think of it as a kids movie, even though it might be scary for some kids. Watch this if you haven't seen it, its an 80s classic, but don't expect much in any way as there isn't really much there, but it is still a unique 80s flick I suppose.