Atonement: 4 out of 4 Stars

A movie review written by:


Andrew Vigeant


Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, comes a story. Not just a story, but a beautiful story. It's perfect. Just like this film. As a film critic you search long and hard for a perfect movie. You watch so many movies, and review them, and analyze, and write, and watch and think, but you never expect to find a perfect one. Not in a million years would I have guessed that "Atonement" would be perfect. It amazes you from beginning to end without a SINGLE flaw. I won't even tell you much of the plot other than Briony Tallis(Saoirse Ronan) tells a lie about Robbie Turner(James McAvoy), and that "little" lie alters the lives of everyone.

I saw this movie online, and I was left speechless. I couldn't blink, I couldn't even think. I saw it in the movie theater, and I felt the same way. I babbled about how amazing the film was, but other than that I had no idea what to say at all. It leaves you puzzled, amazed, breathless, shocked, frightened, delighted, light-hearted, warm, cold, crestfallen, etc.

Keira Knightley (Cecilia Tallis) Knightley....what more can I say besides a clearly an unchallengeable Oscar WINNING performance. She is perfect. Literally.
Saoirse Ronan (Briony Tallis) Ronan is headed towards being something extremely special. I'll be thrilled, and anxious to see her in her upcoming films. She plays Briony SO well. Almost TOO well. Throughout the entire film she emits a chilling edge whenever she is on screen. She captivates you.
James McAvoy (Robbie Turner) Arguably an Oscar deserving performance from him as well. He delivers you with burning intensity all through the film. Anger, sorrow, sexuality, endearment, confusion, you name it.
Brenda Blethyn (Grace Turner) she doesn't get a lot of screen time at all, but she makes the scenes she's in enjoyable. She plays Robbie's mother perfectly.
Harriet Walter (Emily Tallis) She gives us the cliche snob/rich mother. But she does it perfectly, and that's the difference on why it isn't a failure.
Patrick Kennedy (Leon Tallis) His scenes with Cecilia (Knightley) verge on incest. I love it. Not incest, but how it's conveyed.
Benedict Cumberbatch (Paul Marshall) The highly succesful and RICH man comes to visit his friend Leon (Kennedy), and to crash at his house. You just know something brilliant will happen!
Juno Temple (Lola Quincey) The stuck-up child who thinks she's better than everybody else. Once again, cliche? Yes, but they do it perfectly and so smoothly. Her family are in the lowest of the low class. Why am I saying this? Oh just a hint.
Felix and Charlie Von Simson (Pierrot and Jackson Quincey, "The Twins") The twins give you a real "olden days" feel when they're on screen which helps make you believe you're in 1935.

Every single scene in this movie is memorable. I can still replay the movie in my head, and not forget any moment. This entire film will mesmerize you. Christopher Hampton must win the award for Best Screenplay. If he doesn't it will sadden my heart because something this wonderful needs to claim it's recognition. Joe Wright directed this film, but he didn't really need too. At the same time he did though. It was just so smooth. So perfect. He also directed "Pride And Prejudice". I also think you should check that one out! I think you get my point that this movie is perfect. I expect you to watch it, and probably think it has a few problems. Come to me though and ask me about them. I guarantee I can clear ANYTHING up for you at all. Seriously. If you haven't watched a single film in your life please watch this one. I would definitely recommend this film to anyone and everyone. This film is my favorite film ever. It's a masterpiece. I'll talk about this movie with anyone at anytime.

I Am Legend: 3 1/2 out of 4 Stars

A movie review written by:

Andrew Vigeant


Dont worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be all right. It will won't it? Robert Neville(Will Smith) is the last man on Earth. The lone survivor of the devastating man-made virus called the KV virus. I won't tell you how it was made, and all that jazz because it is a good surprise, though, I will tell you that it was created to cure cancer. Neville basically dedicates his life to finding a cure for the virus, and constantly does lab research. Neville isn't exactly alone though. Their are creatures in the shadows....watching him.....longing to kill him....waiting for the perfect chance to pounce....Can Neville find a cure in time? Or will he be doomed to suffer the same fate the rest of mankind seems to have faced?

I don't have any really funny quirks to write about here like I usually do, so sorry to disappoint. Although I did see this movie three times at the movie theater. Yeah, I know it would've cost me lots of money if I didn't sneak in two of those times.

Will Smith(Robert Neville) was amazing, I know he wont win an Oscar because he's black(I'm being serious only 4 black actors have EVER won an Oscar, and they all played evil or cruel characters hmmm...fuckin racists people are) but he damn well should. I've been amazed by Smith's performance's since I first watched him in "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air"and "Independence Day". That show was mad funny, and still is. Yes, I watch it on nick at nite sue me. I immediately recognized his excellence in the movie, though, not in the TV show. Nowadays he is an extremely distinguished individual. I'm literally proud of him, and the movies he does. Yes, "Bad Boys" was a bit of a stretch for me I admit, but I still enjoyed it because of him. I can't wait to see his movie "Seven Pounds", it will be GREAT!
Alice Braga(Anna) she has the potential to have potential, but I don't know. She was alright in this film, but I liked her accent. Her next two films: "Crossing Over" and "Redbelt" don't seem to have too much promise. However, look forward to her next two after those which are: "Blindness" and "Repossession Mambo". Both are based on novels, so I'll be looking forward to those.
Charlie Tahan(Ethan) Ehh....he's okay? I guess.....he's young though....maybe he'll actually look like he belongs on the big screen?? Possibly? No? Well....he has a movie coming out that he will be in called: "Nights In Rod-something".....yeah he's got nothing going for him. Poor kid. I want to give him a lollipop. Watch me get arrested now because these days everything is misconstrued as sexual.
Sam(the dog Sam) This dog is awesome enough said.
Dark-Seekers(played be CGI) They actually don't look that bad. Stefan doesn't think so, but so what? We don't have to always listen to Stefan now do we? Seriously though they could've done a way better job, and it does take away from the film in a way. Not the enjoyableness level though. P.S. I didn't even know enjoyableness was a word!

Director Francis Lawrence did an amazing job. He didn't direct the "hell" out of this film like Tim Burton did with "Sweeney Todd", but still an applaudable effort by far. (Props to Stefan) I look forward to seeing Lawrence's upcoming movie: "Snow And The Seven" which is a remake of Snow White. I like the whole Marley music throughout this film it added a touch of relaxation which was ironic and contradicted the films atmosphere as well as one of it's themes. Speaking of the themes they were many in this film. I don't want to mention any because I want you to watch and I want to see what you can come up with. Think of it as a challenge. Sound effects, camera-work, and editing are all a thumbs up. Nearly all of the outstanding scenes have has Neville's dog Sam in them so keep a look out!

What causes this film to drop from a 4 star rating to a less honorable 3 1/2 star rating is: CGI and the fact that they couldn't find somebody to compliment Will Smith. The CGI was poorly done, as I've stated before, but it's just such a shame..... Will Smith doesn't need a compliment, but Anna....they could've chosen someone so much more better, and it would've made them film THAT much better! Hell I would've taken "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix's" Helena Bonham Carter! Overall I definitely recommend this film to all who love movies, and even some of you who don't.