BANDITS

Directed by Barry Levinsion, Bandits (USA, 2001) is not gonna make you cry or laugh like your run-off-the-mill romantic comedy, even though it provides good laughs.

Note: spoilers are marked in red.

This movie is... smart. It's a different way of 'funny'. It will make you flick your head but it's worth it. Joe Blake (Bruce Willis) and Terry Collins (Billy Bob Thornton) are two friends that are bank robbers. They escape from the prison in the most obvious and predictable way.

After that, they rob a bank to finance their little 'adventure'. The story complicates when Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett) appears in their lives: she wants to go bank robbing with them, tired of her poor old life.

The usual plan is simple, with no complications: they go to the bank's manager's house the day before, sleep there, and get the money the day next before the first customers arrive. Using this plan, they got to the top of the FBI's 'wanted' list and become known as "the sleepover robbers".

But they dream of something nice: a margarita bar in Mexico. As the movie goes on, just to complicate even more, Joe AND Terry fall in love with Cate... She can't decide between them so they begin to be a love triangle.

The movie is great, well made, fun, and the end gives you a cool twist. The actors were great and the story is convincing. The way things happen make bank robbing looks simple without loosing any conviction.

I really liked it and I would really recommend. :D

>> iRaphael [4/5]

IMDb link : HERE

TIME-OFF

Hey, everybody!

This quick post is just to let you know that I'll be travelling for a couple of weeks, so I won't post for a while. But I'll be back soon with new posts and fresh reviews!

Thank you for the attention.

Zé B.

COUPLES RETREAT

It's a rom-com. But wait! Not that one-couple kind of rom-com, like... [1,000,000 examples]. But it's not that multiple-couple kind, like He's Just Not That Into You (boring and unnecessary) and the to-be-released Valentine's Day.


Couples Retreat is a recent rom-com that features four couples with strained relationships. The main characters, Dave and Ronnie (Vince Vaughn & Malin Akerman) have a normal marriage: two kids, good house, still in love... but some fighting and disagreeing (as any normal couple).

Two of their friends, Jason and Cynthia (Jason Bateman & Kristen Bell) are dealing with problems in their relationship. Uptight, straight-forward and practically robotic, they are considering divorce.

Not just them: Joey and Lucy (Jon Favreau & Kristin Davis) are constantly fighting, barely talk to each other and even consider infidelity. Shane (Faizon Love) has just divorced his wife: he's now with a sexy 20-year-old girl, dumb as a door.

Jason and Cynthia sign their friends for a couples retreat in a five-star resort, that offers counseling and marital therapy. It's a rare opportunity for some fun. But as the tagline announces: it may be paradise, but it's no vacation.

They accept, thinking that the therapy part is optional and that it will be all fun and games. After all, it's a five-star hotel, so why not? But as it turns out, there is a program to be followed. So all of them have to start couples' therapy.

The plot is a little weak, but there are some good moments in the movie. Not the laugh-out-loud kind of movie, but you'll be entertained if you don't mind its flaws and have a good time. The first half is funny, with some great moments in the retreat.

Too bad it was ruined by the typical end: the humor is put aside when the "love" issue pops up. The ending is too sweet, almost sticky. Of course Americans wouldn't let the families be broken, so the ending is the usual. I won't spoil it (as if nobody already knows the ending... :D).

One little warning: don't take young children for this film. There's nothing bad: no sex, no graphic nudity. But there's lots of sexual humor (it's rated PG-13, although it was originally rated R). Actually, the dirty stuff provides some of the movie's best moments.

Some of it the young viewers won't understand, because it is not obvious; like when Favreau picks some oil and a picture of a sexy girl on lingerie... alone... if you get what I mean... (not a big spoiler). But others, like the yoga lesson, are quite graphic. But hey, I'm looking too deep into it. I'm such a prude! Just kidding. :D

About the good and bad stuff... it's a 50-50 tie. The first part is good, but the ending is too silly. However, it's been doing very well in box-office. With a US$ 70 million budget, it has already made US$ 153 million worldwide! And it's still playing. Not bad for a rom-com with some weak reviews...

Couples Retreat is good entertainment if you want a light, silly comedy. Laughs are guaranteed.

>> ZÉ B. [3/5]

IMDB link: HERE

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (part two)

After all the hype and the pressure, I finally watched Paranormal Activity. I have to admit: after comments and reviews, I was really afraid to watch this movie. Not because I would feel frightened during the movie, but *after* the movie... when I'd be alone in the dark!

(Note: the spoilers are marked in red)


But the result was not what I expected. As everyone pointed out, Paranormal Activity is an example of how you don't need much money or famous actors to make an original, exciting film. But it's also an example of how the way you watch a movie is crucial to determine your reaction to it.

I won't say much about the story: iRaphael's post tells you all you need to know (click on the link to access his post). All you'll hear from me is: I thought this film was entertaining, original, fun, well-acted, realistic, sometimes funny (!)...

...but not as disturbing and horrifying as people are pointing it out to be. I was literally surprised when this film was over. The 86 minutes of projection swang by! The last scene (actually the best scene in the entire film) was surprising and creepy. I haven't seen the other endings, but this one was really cool.

The "special effects" were convincing. Scenes like Katie being dragged out of bed and the Ouija board catching fire were good, without being corny. The (very short) budget was well spent, in my humble opinion.

Personally, I didn't care much for Micah. He treated everything like a big joke and even disrespected Katie! As a character, he was annoying... he was practically asking to die! Micah Sloat's acting was average; not horrible, but not memorable either.

But Katie Featherston... her acting was amazing. When she was possessed, her robotic/diabolic attitude was remarkable. When she cried, I could feel her pain, I felt bad for her. Her acting was so realistic that it added a lot to the film.

I don't care if some haters are calling her fat, because she is not. She is a real woman, *beautiful* without plastics or surgeries. She deserves much more than US$ 500: if Hollywood doesn't give her bigger roles, it will be such a waste. She is truly an amazing actress.

I watched this with friends, and we talked a few times; we even made jokes. So the entire terror atmosphere (if there once was any) was broken. This is the problem with horror movies: the creepy mood is easily spoiled.

That's why I recommend: if you really want to experience Paranormal Activity to the fullest, watch it alone and at night. Make sure there are no distractions during the session. Then you will be truly frightened.

I have no idea how they will pull off a sequel, but I think they will do it well. After all, they will have a bigger budget, a better known formula and Katie's talent. Plus: with Micah dead, the weakest element won't be a problem... just kidding.

A good indie flick, that will provide good entertainment. Maybe others will be more afraid than I was (I thought The Strangers was far scarier than this), but it's still a good attraction. My vote is 3 (uh... sorry, Rapha :D)

>> ZÉ B. [3/5]

IMDB link: HERE

THE SOLOIST

Music and movies are usually a good combination. However, it's important to remember: there's a difference between musicals and movies about music. A new example of the latter is The Soloist (USA, 2009), by Joe Wright (director of Atonement and Pride & Prejudice).


Differently from his other films, Wright now directs a modern story that takes place on Los Angeles. The movie is about Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), a reporter who becomes friends with a lonely homeless man while looking for a story to write about.

That man, Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), is not like any other homeless person: he's a music genious, who plays violin in public streets. Plus... he's schizoprenic. Steve doesn't care about Nathaniel at first, but after a while he decides to make a difference in his life and help him getting better and living a better life.

The Soloist is a... complicated movie. Artistically and technically, it's very well done. Wright is an acclaimed director; his previous movies got really positive reviews and had a great public. So you can expect a very artistic film. However, it often seems slow and a little boring. There are good things about it, though.

First, it's well acted. Downey Jr. is now officially back on track: after a few setbacks involving drugs and jail, his popularity in Hollywood is now climbing like a rocketship. After playing Tony Stark in Iron Man (a great popcorn movie) and being nominated to the Oscar for Tropic Thunder (for his hilarious and memorable role), his acting here is secure and solid.

Foxx does a good work as well... although it's obvious that he's screaming for an Oscar. His playing of Nathaniel Ayers is quite good. Too bad he didn't hear Sgt. Osiris: never go full retard. I know schizoprenia is not like mental retard, but still: some people are not really buying his acting... FYI: Osiris is a character from Tropic Thunder... played by Downey Jr.!

Second: the music is good for the classic fans. But this movie's main triumph is its portrayal of schizophrenia. When we see things through Nathaniel's point of view, the voices he hears are quite disturbing... giving us the impression of actually feeling what it's like to be schizophrenic.

And other moments are purely cult. Like when he listens to one of Beethoven's symphonies and imagines explosions of colors. Schizophrenic viewers say the movie's portrayal of the condition is accurate and realistic, making this film a good study on schizophrenia.

Just one more thing: I might sound like a prude, but I think PG-13 was not an appropriate rating for this film. There's no big deal about language, sex, violence or drugs, but some scenes are quite upsetting.

The whole homelessness matter is quite sad, but the poverty and desperation are shown in a very depressive (and quite graphic) way. It might be just me, but I think R would have been a better rating.

In resume: The Soloist is well-done and touching, but quite slow. A lot of people will hate it (others won't even finish it). There are no big moral lessons, just a modern story about humility and friendship. My vote is 3.

>> ZÉ B. [3/5]

>> iRaphael [3/5]

IMDB link: HERE

THE SWEETEST THING

Our new review is about a (not so new) rom-com by Roger Kumble: The Sweetest Thing (USA, 2002). The movie is about Christina Walters (Cameron Diaz) who "plays" love as a game. She's promiscuous and not into serious relationships



She made a pact with her two best friends: no relationships, just fun! The movie starts in a different, funny way: the confessions of the people who knew Christina Walters. Most of them start saying something like: "Yes, I know her..." and ends like: "That b*tch! I hate her!!!"

It all starts when Christina and Courtney Rockcliffe (Christina Applegate ) find their friend and roommate Jane Burns (Selma Blair) crying because of an ended relationship. They go to a club (cuz that's what friends do...) and Christina meets a guy: Peter Donahue.

Peter is everything she's looking for: sweet, handsome... and staying in the city for a few days. She keeps thinking about him... is he the one? The one that will make Christina finally settle down and start a mature relationship? She can't stop thinking about him.

She's so interested in him that she's willing to cross the state with her friends just to meet him at his brother's wedding. Of course, funny stuff will happen in this road trip - providing good laughs and some of the movie's best moments.

I loved this movie: it combines the "true love" element with great comedy. The title should be The Sexiest Thing because on its first part (lot's of comedy with sexual jokes, comments and innuendos).

Loved!!! (as it's rated R, so I wouldn't recommend watching it with children under 10 or 12). It's not funnier than There's Something About Mary, also with Diaz (click to check our review on the blog) but comparing anything with TSAM is unfair. You'll have a great time because this movie is really awesome!!!

>> iRaphael [4/5]

>> ZÉ B. [3/5]

IMDB link: HERE

THE TRUMAN SHOW

Living in the 21st Century, age of high technology and reality shows, could take away all of the originality and charm from The Truman Show (USA, 1998). But surprisingly, it doesn't: watching it today, more than 10 years after its release, is still a touching experience.


Jim Carrey plays Truman Burbank, an insurer, married man, responsible guy... and the star of a television program. Unaware of it. Truman's life is a big reality show: he lives in a fake city, surrounded by loads of cameras and watched by millions of people.

He and his wife "Meryl" - actually a character played by an actress (Laura Linney) - have a comfortable (but boring) life. He grew up next to his friend "Marlon" - also an actor (Noah Emmerich). Everything is a lie, created by a megalomaniac television genious, Christof (Ed Harris).

Every single person in this huge spectacle knows what's going on... except for Truman. That's why the show is so popular: because he's real. We're not watching an actor playing a character, but a human being living his life.

Of course, Truman starts to find out the truth. After all, it's not a flaw-proof system. I won't say much further, because this film has to be watched without knowing the end. So relax: I didn't give any spoilers. But one thing must be said: it is truly an amazing film.

Everything here works really well: the firm direction by Peter Weir, the wonderful screenplay by Andrew Niccol, the awesome performances... It could have been silly, but it's actually smart and touching. Even on the age of reality shows: remember this movie was made in 1998, when that kind of program was not even an idea.

It's a thought-provoking film, with lots of different interpretations about the plot and the characters. Everything here drives this movie to an upper category.

And Jim Carrey. He's not only a good comediant. He's an actor. Too bad people don't take him seriously. After The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (another great film) he should have won an Oscar. Because his interpretation here is crucial, heartbreaking and memorable. Carrey is another reason why this film is so good.

The worst part? This film was forgotten by the Oscars. It was nominated in 3 categories, but not on best actor (Carrey) or best picture - both of which it deserved. I don't know exactly what were the other pictures, but the best picture winner of that year, Shakespeare in Love (which I didn't watch yet) is highly doubtfully better than this (do I dare to say it?) masterpiece.

Watch this movie. And ignore the skepticism with which most people will watch it nowadays. It is a powerful film, that shouldn't be forgotten.

>> ZÉ B. [5/5]

>> iRaphael [5/5]

IMDB link: HERE

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG

Claimed and a "Disney comeback", The Princess and the Frog (USA, 2009) has impressed a lot of people in the theaters. This cartoon made in the original "Disney 2D-style" is made mostly for the audiences used to the classic Disney animations, such as Cinderella, Snow White or Sleeping Beauty.

The Princess and the Frog has a touching story (for little girls) and brings the Disney magic back to the cinemas, after those not-original-but-awesome Pixar movies.

The movie is about Tania (voice by Anika Noni Rose) who works hard to have her own restaurant. Tania, as every girl, dreams about a prince. She's not a princess and she's also not rich: Tania in the middle economic class.

One night, she goes to a carnival party. There, she loses a contract that would give her a building so she could start to live her dream. Then she goes upstairs, disappointed knowing that her best (and rich) friend, Charlotte (Jennifer Cody) is living her dream: she's dancing with the prince, Naveen (Bruno Campos) who's in a money crisis.

To solve his money problems, Naveen goes to a voodoo guy, who will transform him and his assistant, in whatever they want to be/have. Instead of asking for money, the prince is tranformed into a frog. His assistant becomes the prince, using a voodoo amulet containing the real Naveen's blood.

The frog meets Tiana in the upstairs of the castle and (eventually) she kisses him. But instead of Naveen being transformed into a person again, Tiana becomes a frog too. That's the film's charm: it twists the original idea, opening doors for different situations. They run away from people (who try to kill them) and go to the forest.

SPOILER ALERT! - Don't read ahead if you have not seen the movie yet!

As time goes by, Naveen learns what's the really important thing in life. After a lot of mess, the prince marries Tiana, they turn into humans again, open Tiana's restaurant (after a lot of hard work) and live happily ever after.

Final thoughts...

Great movie to take children, specially little girls. This movie brings the magic-that-movies-don't-have-anymore back to the cinema: Disney made a great and touching story with a lot of lessons being teached.

I just don't think *everybody* is gonna like it because of it audience restriction. I personally did not like it much, but i'm not a part of the audience Disney wanted to see: I watched it with my little sister and she loved it. I hated it because I'm a boy and I'm 14. -.- it was boring... -.- -.- -.-

>> iRaphael [2/5]

IMDB link: HERE

CRASH

You probably never heard of hyperlink movie, a film gender that features many different characters that don't know each other, their storylines and situations where they will meet, cross. Although it is not as wide and famous as other genders, a few recent movies are hyperlink alike, like Babel and 21 Grams. Another recent example is Crash (EUA, 2004), by Paul Haggis.

This dramatic flick shows 36 hours of the lives of many Los Angeles citizens, and how they will eventually connect. It all starts with a rich white couple (Sandra Bullock and Brendan Fraser) that has their car stolen by two black men.

Starting from that situation, Crash shows different characters, like a racist police officer (Matt Dillon), a young couple that suffers with racial prejudgement (Terrence Howard and Thandie Newton), a foreign salesman who has his store broken and vandalized, a poor family that moves away from their violent neighborhood, a bitter detective (Don Cheadle), among others.

I won't give much away, because saying more than this would be spoiling some of the movie. But one thing I can say: all of those stories are connected by the prejudgement of our society. Without being piegas or soft, Haggis' movie not only shows us that racism is a true actual problem and that it should be fighted, but it's also convincing and touching.

It was one of the most notable flicks of 2004... and also one of the biggest Oscar surprises ever. When everyone was sure that Brokeback Mountain would get the main award, the result was unexpected: Crash turned out to be the winner.

The movie won 3 Oscars, including best picture. A lot of people still disagree with the Academy's choice, but it is undeniable that the movie is a solid reflection about racism - and a consistent drama.

Films like Crash will always meet opposition. A lot of people thought it was too forced and manipulative. A few times, it might be... but it still doesn't take anything from this movie's strength. It is the portrait of a broken society and a divided world. Plus... it's good entertainment.

And one last warning: sensitive viewers must be prepared. Alhough touching and well-done, Crash is sad and upsetting. Nevertheless, I recommend it.

>> ZÉ B. [4/5]

>> iRaphael [4/5]

IMDB link: HERE

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

What does she have? What makes her so... unbelievable ? The answer is still unknown. But what we know, is that Mary is a wonderful woman... There's Something about Mary (USA, 1998).

This awesome rom-com by Peter and Bobby Farrely is claimed as "the best comedy of the decade". Some great scenes are an example of this fact: one of them is the "zipper" scene.

SPOILER ALERT! Don't watch the following video if you have not seen the movie yet!



Or, my personal favorite, the hair gel scene...

The movie tells the story of Ted (Ben Stiller). He meets Mary (Cameron Diaz) in High School. He is a nerd and she's a beautiful popular girl. Ted doesn't believe that she even knows his name... but then, unexpectedly, she asks him to the school prom! Clumsily, he accepts and everuthing goes wrong in the prom night: the zipper accident (video above).

Ted never stopped thinking about Mary, though he has never seen her since that night.

13 years later, in 1998, Ted decides to hire an personal detective: Detective Krevoy (Matt Dillon). After some investigation, Krevoy gets everything that Ted needs... but, he falls in love with Mary too.

Lying to Ted, he goes to Miami (where Mary lives) to get this beautiful girl to himself. Ted is crushed when a friend of his tell him that Mary is still in great shape. Ted starts to think that the detective didn't even try to find Mary and decides to go to Miami, too.

After a few complications (laughs) on the road, Ted arrives Miami. Then, the fight starts. Mary tells Ted that she has changed her second name because of a problem with a crazy dude. After a while we realize that Mary's best friend Tucker (Lee Evans) is actually lying to Mary, because he's in love with her too.

SPOILER ALERT! Don't read ahead if you have not seen the movie yet!

In the end we find out that the crazy dude is actually Ted's best friend: Dom, who's married, got kids and can't be closer than 30 miles from her (Chris Elliott). The four of them keep fighting over Mary, until Ted figures out how to solve the entire problem.

He brings Mary's old boyfriend (who's relationship with her failed because of sabotage), thinking that Mary still wants him and that it will solve the problem. However, in the end, Mary stays with Ted and they live happily ever after (as expected).

This movie made me laugh my ass off and has a great combination of the music and the movie. In a lot of scenes we see the a group of people singing. They don't interact with the characters or actively participate of the story: they're just a comedic element.

Really funny. LOVED IT!

>> iRaphael [5/5]

IMDB link: HERE

THE WAIT IS OVER

No, I'm not talking about The Twilight Saga: New Moon. The most antecipated movie of the year (or at least one of them) is Avatar, the new movie by James Cameron. After months of wait, it's now over: the movie is coming out today!

There's been a lot of hype about this millionaire adventure: the official budget was US$ 310 million, without counting publicity - the end costs are probably around 500 million. Therefore, people were discussing: either it will be a hit, a remarkable movie... or the biggest flop in film history.

But it seems like it will be a success. So far, the film has been getting positive reviews and good online comments by those who have already seen it. Of course some negative reviews are expected, but so far they are minimum compared to the crushing majority of fans.

The movie has already been nominated to 4 Golden Globes (including best picture and director in drama) and has a lot of positive comments. According to them, the CGI is fantastic, the attention to details is impressive and the 3D is amazing.

Can this movie be as successful as the other Cameron movies? After Titanic (that has the record for highest grossing movie ever - US$ 1.8 billion), Aliens and Terminator, he is already one of the most important directors of his generation.

Cameron wrote the script in 1995 and wanted to start the production in 1999, as a follow-up to Titanic. But not only there wasn't as enough CGI technology as we have today, the costs would be extremely high. No studio would fund it, so the movie was forgotten for a while. But today, the wait is over. It took 4 years for the movie to be ready!

We're not submitting our reviews today: we'll watch it tomorrow and then publish it. These are just facts about this movie, proving it's one of the most (if not the most) important commercial relases this year. Is all the hype confirmed? We'll find out tomorrow.

Zé B.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (part one)

"What happens when you sleep?"

Most people are asking themselves this question right now as the movie Paranormal Activity (USA, 2007) directed by Oren Peli still makes loads and loads of money.

Oren Peli, an ex-game programmer, affirms that the movie (or most parts of it) are based on true facts; his facts... He says that in 2006 some "paranormal phenomena" started to occur with him and his girlfriend (now, ex-girfriend). He bought a house in San Diego, and late at night (according to him) he was sleeping and a box of detergent fell off the shelf. The box was pushed too far back for it to just tilt and fall.

With US$500 in hand each, Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, two personal friends of Peli, agreed to shoot Paranormal Activity using ther own names. The movie was completed in 10 days (with no edition) and there was almost 70-80 hours of footage. The script, most of the time, was improvised by Katie and Micah to make it more realistic. They showed up to be such good actors that the movie exploded with viewings in the internet.

Finally, one copy was delivered to Steven Spielberg, who got too scarred to watch the movie at night, stopped and finished it the next morning. Spielberg called Peli, took the movie to Paramount and helped him make the final scene more... terrifying.

The movie (which was finished in 2007) was exhibited in selected cinemas in 2009. After the online demand (users could request the movie in their cities), the movie is now playing everywhere. With a final budget of US$15,000, the movie is already considered the most lucrative in film history: it raised US$ 107 million only in its first few weeks showing in the US!

Now, let's talk about the story of the movie.

This movie is not a classic horror. It's part of a new kind of thrillers: it doesn't show everything on-screen. Actually, the lack of image is what makes us terrified. Sometimes, the scenes are blurred so we can only try to understand what's going on.

This resource used on the movie made it reach the status of "one of the scariest movies ever" because, as we tend to think about it, the movie leads us to a big ascending state of horror. Oftenly, the action is not showed and we can only hear the noises.

It's in that absence of the vision in a few scenes (allied to the sometimes poor quality of the image) that lies the film's true charm. The truly horrifying thing here is not what we see, is what we *don't* see. That's why lots of people claim that it's scary and disturbing: because of our imagination about what might be happening.

Katie and Micah are a nice couple who is having problems with (what they believe to be) some sort of ghost who's haunting their house. Soon they will figure out that the ghost does not want the house: It wants Katie. After going to see a specialist, they decide to shoot their nights on video, so they can replay and see what's going on.

The paranormal activity occurs at night, while they're asleep. They decide to close all windows and doors (to prove it's not the wind) and videotape the nights, so that in the morning they can see what happens while they sleep. As the movie goes on, Katie starts to get "possessed" and the "ghost" takes her body and soul.

SPOILER ALERT! Don't read ahead if you have not watched the movie yet!

As far as I know, there are four alternative endings to the movie. They are: the one in cinemas (where Katie kills Micah and throws him at the camera), the original one (where she kills him and then the cops kill her), one that was never shot (Katie kills Micah with the camera) and the one exhibited in film festivals (Katie kills Micah and then slits her throat with a knife).

I'm between the original or the cinema. I liked the cinema ending because it's the scariest and there is the best "flying-Micah" scene. But the original one really got me because it shows how much Katie suffers knowing that she killed Micah while possessed.

I just did not like the Katie-dying scene on the original and the fact that she just doesn't suffer with Micah's death (cinema) I believe Peli and Spielberg shot the ending we see in the theaters to leave an open door to a sequel (Paranormal Activity 2 is coming on 2012).

Really recommended.

>> iRaphael [5/5]

IMDB link: HERE

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

Most romances nowadays are the typical cliché: girl meets boy (or the other way around), they fall in love and everyone lives happily ever after. But not (500) Days of Summer (USA, 2009): this new romantic flick by Marc Webb is different from the romances you're used to see.

(note: the spoilers are marked in red)

Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Lewitt) is a romantic man who's convinced that he'll never be happy unless he finds his soulmate. Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) is a skeptical girl who thinks true love is a myth.

Those two characters don't have much in common: he's lovesick and sentimental, while she's liberal and uncommitted. But it doesn't matter to Tom: he's convinced that Summer is the soulmate he waits for. But how can she be right for him when he's not right for her?

The movie shows all the 500 days that their relationship has lasted for: since the moment they meet to the day when Tom lets go and Summer gets out of his life. The narrative is not linear, mixing the early days of their relationship, where everything is still fresh, to the latest days, where things are not going well.

(500) Days of Summer is a different kind of romantic comedy: not as bittersweet as the usual, but with a subtle (though sarcastic) humor. That explains why some audiences did not like it: they're not used to an art-like movie instead of those silly forgettable rom-coms.

But Webb's flick proves it deserves the positive reviews it's been getting, mostly because of the great screenplay, good cast and fun soundtrack. It's a romance that works for male viewers as well: we have all have been through a situation like Tom's, of non-correspondid love, so it's a movie to which people can relate. I certainly did.

Above average rom-com, with great moments. Funny and sweet in the right dose, without being too sentimental or sissy-like. We recommend it!

>> ZÉ B. [4/5]

>> iRaphael [4/5]

IMDB link: HERE

HELLO!

Hey, everybody!

To whoever's reading this, it's my first post in this blog. Let me say this upfront: I am the typical film lover. (Just check my Twitter nickname... :D) To me, movies are a great source of entertainment: they can make you laugh, cry, reflect, get scared out of your shorts...

This is why we decided to write this blog: because we love movies and we love talking about them. So, to start off, I'm sending the link to my tweets about the movies I've watched in the theaters recently. They're really short because of the 140 characters limit, but the next posts here in the blog will be more complete and informative.

The numbers at the end of each tweet indicate my rating. These ratings will be used here as well. They are:
1: horrible - bad
2: weak - could have been better
3: good - watchable
4: very good - great
5: perfect - masterpiece

This is the link to my movie-commenting Twitter: twitter.com/FilmLover14

By the way, my main source and my life saver is this: The Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com/). Check it out, it's full of details and commentaries about movies, series, actors/actresses etc. I recommend it!

Thank you for your attention and the possible replies.

Zé B.

SO IT'S OUR FIRST BLOG POST.

This blog is gonna be about movies.

We're going to make from movie reviews to expectations and ratings...

We're going to add images, videos, and (always) the 5 stars (*****) rating on every movie we watch.

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Thank you all for your attention. We'll work our best to keep you entertained and updated about movie news.

iRaphael & Zé B.