Blog Pick Week #35

   Occasionally a movie can bring out the kid in you. I'm not necessarily talking about an animated feature, but one that makes you remember your youth. For me, the pick for this week reminded me of just this. Our pick is the Academy Award winning film "Almost Famous".
   Set in the 1960's, "Almost Famous" tells the story of high school student William Miller (Patrick Fugit), who gets the dream of a life time, the opportunity to tour with a rock band and write an article about them for Rolling Stone magazine. Young William is your typical adventurous teenager but finds himself in very adult situations. Touring with the band are "band-aides", (young female groupies). Drawn between his admiration for the members of the band, and one of the "band-aides" Penny Lane, (Kate Hudson), William is stuck in an old fashion love triangle.
   "Almost Famous" is a great film, that deserved the Academy Award for Best Screenplay which it won in 2000. In addition, "Almost Famous" was more than a love story, it was a story of friendship. Not all films could absolutely hit it out of the park with an almost completely unknown cast, "Almost Famous" definitely did. This week check out "Almost Famous". Until next week happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

"Almost Famous" trailer

Blog Pick Week #34

   This is a prime reason why this blog exists, to simply recommend a movie. About a year or two ago, a friend had told me about this particular film. So that weekend I watched it and immediately fell in love with it. This week our pick is the 1988 Academy Award Winning film "Cinema Paradiso".
   "Cinema Paradiso" tells the story of a filmmaker named Salvatore Di Vita. Looking back at his childhood, he recalls how he fell in love with film. When he was a boy working at the local cinema, assisting the theaters projectionist. With his responsibilities growing at the theater, young Salvatore has his passion for film growing each and every day. His almost father son bond with the theaters projectionist brings Salvatore coming back even as a teenager. Fast forward to adulthood, when Salvatore is now an accomplished filmmaker. He returns to the town he grew up, only to discover his favorite theater is in ruins, but what happened to his friend the projectionist?
   "Cinema Paradiso" is a foreign language film, that deserved The Academy Award it ultimately won for Best Foreign Language Film. This was a wonderfully heart warming story without being overly sappy. In addition to the overall movie, is an ending that is one to remember. This week check out "Cinema Paradiso". Until next week happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

"Cinema Paradiso" trailer

Blog Pick Week #33

   He was often considered a controversial figure. Either entertaining people or offending them. Whatever the case may be, he was an interesting and original character. Played to almost perfection by one of the best comedic actors of this generation. Our pick is the 1999 film "Man on the Moon".
   "Man on the Moon" tells the biography of comedian Andy Kaufman (played by Jim Carrey). From his early childhood growing up on Long Island NY, to his stint on the hit show "Taxi", in addition to his antics as the inter gender wrestling champ. Andy Kaufman worked in an environment where his stage was his life. So when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, was that real or fake? That was Andy Kaufman.
   Andy Kaufman certainly didn't live a dull life, and Jim Carreys performance was nothing short of amazing. Capturing the facial expressions and mannerisms Andy often made, but more than that..he captured the persona.
   "Man on the Moon" is a movie that should have had more Oscar buzz. Although he won a Golden Globe for this role, Jim Carrey gives arguably the best performance of his career. Even more than his performance was the execution of the film itself. Directed masterfully by Milos Forman, "Man on the Moon" was an entertaining and good film. This week take the time and watch "Man on the Moon". Until next time happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

"Man on the Moon" trailer

Blog Pick Week #32

   A good thriller is almost always a good watch. That edge of your seat suspense that can keep you guessing. Some thrillers take it a step further and incorporate clever elements into the plot. Our pick for this week is always a favorite for us here at webmoviepick. This week our choice is the 1995 psychological thriller "Seven".
   Based on the seven deadly sins, "Seven" follows two police detectives, David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), as they try and solve the mystery of a serial killer, finding and killing his victims based on the seven deadly sins. Mills and Somerset are hot on the trail, but always seem to be one step behind. Will they catch up before all seven have been exhausted?
   "Seven" is a great film, directed by accomplished director David Fincher. With a stellar cast consisting of Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin Spacey, in addition to a very solid script. "Seven" is a dark film, but a clever thriller. Going beyond your typical thriller, instead "Seven" is a psychological thriller that doesn't require a degree in mental health to understand. So this week check out "Seven". Until next week happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

"Seven" trailer

Blog Pick Week #31

   Some directors come along and make great movies. Some come along and make movies that last forever and become classics. Most people have seen or at least heard of this film. Our pick is the 1980 Academy Award winning film by Martin Scorsese, "Raging Bull".
   "Raging Bull" tells the tumultuous story of boxer Jake La Motta. From his illustrious boxing beginnings and all the way down to his fall from grace. Jake La Motta (played by Robert De Niro) not only battled in the ring, but had struggles at home. Marital issues and tension with his own brother and friends, made a recipe for disaster.
   Robert De Niro gives one of the greatest acting performances, not only in his career, but in cinema history. In addition "Raging Bull" is considered one of the greatest movies of all time. According to The American Film Institute it came in at #4. An amazing bit of film making, Martin Scorsese proves with "Raging Bull" why he is one of the best directors ever.
   "Raging Bull" is a triumph and a movie that every person should see. Whether you have seen it before or not, watch "Raging Bull". Until next time happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

"Raging Bull" trailer

Blog Pick Week #30

 

   Sometimes the lead actor in a film is enough for people to go and see the movie. They can have that star power that brings in the audiences without doing any promotions. This was the case when I went out to catch this film last year. This week our pick is the 2012 Academy Award Winning film "Flight".
   "Flight" stars the incredibly talented Denzel Washington, playing "Whip Whitaker", the substance abusing commercial airline pilot. High on cocaine and alcohol, Whip encounters a life and death emergency up in the air, when the plane he is piloting malfunctions. Quick thinking and raw talent could be the only solution to the dilemma, and landing the plane safely is only the beginning of the battle for Whip Whitaker.
   "Flight" was directed by Academy Award Winning Director "Robert Zemeckis", and starring Academy Award Winning Actor "Denzel Washington" (who also was nominated for this role). Beginning with the edge of your seat plane emergency sequence and all the way through to the end, "Flight" was a thrilling film. Not many actors could elevate a film like Denzel Washington can. "Flight" was a film that if it had starred a different actor, I may have never seen it. Until next week happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

"Flight" trailer

Blog Pick Week #29

   Sometimes in life, events occur that make you say...why? People may not realize the full story, until they take a step back and see the overall picture. The pick for this week is a perfect example of this. Our pick is the 1998 Academy Award Nominee "American History X"
   After being released from prison for committing a violent racially motivated murder, neo-nazi skinhead Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), finds his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong), going down that same dangerous path.
   Derek goes through a mental roller coaster with his emotions and also with a friend he meets in prison. Still in touch with one of his high school teachers, Derek finds himself on the road to recovery, and asks himself that elusive question...why? Putting things in perspective, he wants to stop Danny from following in his own footsteps, but will it be to late?
   Edward Norton gives an Academy Award Nominated performance as Derek. This movie was more than his great performance, it really makes you think...why? No this film is not a heart warming tale, yet a great film that should be watched by all. We highly recommend "American History X". Until next week happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com


"American History X" trailer