Snyder's visually stunning film pulls no 'Punches'

In 2007, 300 demonstrated that a film version of a graphic novel can be visually dynamic and really badass. In 2009, Watchmen showed the visionary genius in Snyder’s accurate portrayal of the greatest comic book story of all time. Now, in 2011, he has outdone himself with the visually explosive and surprisingly original story in Sucker Punch.

Released on March 25, Sucker Punch tells the story of a young girl nicknamed Babydoll (Emily Browning), who is institutionalized by her abusive stepfather. Retreating to an alternative reality as a coping strategy under the direction of Dr. Gorski (Carla Gugino), she envisions a plan which will help her escape from the mental facility. With the help of the other patients, Rocket (Jena Malone), Sweetpea (Abbie Cornish), Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), and Amber (Jamie Chung), they must work together within their alternate reality, which is a 1920’s burlesque club, to plot against the club’s gangster owner, Blue Jones (Oscar Isaac). Also, they must escape before the high roller (Jon Hamm) arrives for Babydoll (the high roller is a lobotomy doctor in the asylum, and Blue is an orderly).  While dancing in the club, Babydoll retreats into a second alternate reality in which she and the other girls must fight highly intense and stylized battles under the direction of the Wise Man (Scott Glenn), and complete missions that parallel their tasks in the “real” world.

First and foremost, the most incredible thing about this film is the visually dynamic action scenes that play throughout. From fighting 30 foot samurai in a temple to battling mechanical German soldiers in the trenches of bombed-out France in World War I, and from defeating a gigantic dragon in a castle to destroying robot gunmen on a futuristic air train, Snyder captures each punch, gunshot, and slice with meticulous attention to detail. Like in 300, the action would often slow down to emphasize an action, and then speed back up to normal to jolt the audience back to reality. Also, the blending of technologies in each battle sequence, such as a B-52 bomber against a castle of orcs or modern assault rifles in World War I, added to the awesomeness of the scenes.

Another thing that was amazing about the film was the epic soundtrack that accompanied each scene. Each song fit perfectly into the action of the film, and demonstrated the care that Snyder takes in choosing the music for his films. What made the music cool was that in the story, music is the thing that launches these girls into these fantasy worlds. Music becomes the backbone of the film, and they used actual songs for Sucker Punch that would create suitable moods. Also, the songs used in the film are not original, but are new arrangements of existing music. The soundtrack album contains nine tracks, all covers, remixes and mash-ups (which are wildly re-imagined versions of classic songs) of tracks by Alison Mosshart, Björk, Queen and performances from stars Emily Browning, Carla Gugino, and Oscar Isaac. Most notable in the film included "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," "White Rabbit,"  "Where Is My Mind?", and "I Want It All / We Will Rock You Mash-Up."

Lastly, the most impressive thing about the film is the original story that Snyder came up with and wrote himself, along with the help of Steve Shibuya. Unlike his previous films, which were mostly based off of graphic novels and books, Snyder produces a unique and mind-blowing story that has the same feel as a graphic novel story. In fact, at several points during the film, Snyder slips in subtle references to his previous films, much to the delight of his fans.

Overall, Sucker Punch delivers a knockout blow to all film buffs, and presents a revolutionary and artistic style of filmmaking the likes of which have never been seen before. Unfortunately, most critics out there have given negative reviews of the film, a notion not shared by the many movie-goers who loved it. This may lead to the film becoming a pop culture phenomenon, and eventually develop a cult following the way films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Office Space have. A word of advice: if anyone decides to see this film in theaters, go see it in the IMAX Theater, for you will be unprepared for the breath-taking and visually intense spectacle in store.

"Spartacus" unexpectedly entertaining and risque

         Over the past decade, quite a few television shows have entertained audiences in so many different ways. The Sopranos brought the rough and tough Mafia genre back; Band of Brothers touched on the emotional side of war; Dexter offered an unusual look into the mind of a serial killer living a normal life; Sex and the City looked into the lives of classy, independent women; and True Blood brought the sexy and dangerous imaginations of a vampire book series to the TV screen. However, very few of those TV shows have captured the interest and attentions of its audiences more than the brand new and incredibly risqué Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which airs on Starz.

         The first season, which has 13 episodes, tells the beginning story of the most famous gladiator in history, Spartacus. The season starts by showing how Spartacus (Andy Whitfield) is captured by Romans, sentenced to die in the arena, and then kills his opponents. His reward is his purchase and entrance into the most prestigious gladiator school in the city of Capua, run by the cunning and conniving Quintus Batiatus (John Hannah, The Mummy), and his wife Lucretia (Lucy Lawless). From there, he trains as a gladiator under the direction of the Doctore (Peter Mensah, 300) in order to win in the arena, and thus have his captured wife returned to him. Along the way, he battles against his rival, Crixus (Manu Bennett), befriends a man fighting by his own will, and suffers under the secret and consistently traitorous dealings of Batiatus. By the end of the season, he realizes his true destiny when he decides that no man should ever suffer as a slave under the control of Rome.

        What makes this show stand out from every other show is the extreme portrayal of Roman society in every episode. The beginning of each episode warns its viewers that the show is intended to represent an accurate portrayal of society during this time period. During the first few episodes alone, your ears will fall off when you hear characters spewing out the most vulgar and offensive profanity ever heard on TV. The nudity and sex will also shock and amaze viewers, as it's much like watching a show that's one step away from being too explicit for TV. This, in effect, can be viewed negatively by audiences who are not used to seeing that sort of thing on premium TV channels.

        But what entertains most audiences (which are mostly male) are the over-dramatic but incredibly realistic and vivid fight scenes, going from normal speed to slow motion and splashing blood everywhere. While much of this sounds like it wouldn't be enjoyable for others, one should find comfort that the show can also appeal to them as well. One example of this is the interactions between the women of the show, and the extent of their independence, as well as their beautiful fashions. During the show, there are several instances of very interesting drama and verbal maneuvering that even people today could relate to. Because of this, the greatest theme of the show is the ambition of each character, and what each person is willing to do to gain favor and/or glory.

        If you haven't seen this show yet, it is highly recommended that you give it a chance, because even though the racy parts are unconventional, the story is compelling enough to watch the first season all the way through. In the end, it's worth the time to watch because the finale will blow your mind. Once you've finished watching the show, then go check out the brand new season, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which is a prequel season to the first season. This season chronicles the rise of characters like Batiatus, Crixus, and the Doctore, which shows an interesting view of the other side of the story. Once that's over, the sequel season will be airing next year, and all Spartacus fans can get their "gladiator" on once again.

"The Eagle" has surprisingly landed successfully

What was thought to be just the same old action film modeled after films like Gladiator and King Arthur was actually more than expected, for The Eagle not only surprises but entertains as well.

            Set in 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Jamie Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia - to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father's memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

            When first viewing the trailer for this film, it is interesting how it tells very little about what the movie is about. One gets the impression that it's an action flick that's set during Roman times, and it's stars big-time action guy and object of girls' crushes, Channing Tatum. However, this film is the most surprising and unexpectedly entertaining to be released this year. The story is interesting, the plot is suspenseful, the acting by the principal characters is actually very good, and the action is not overdone.

            Out of everything that was good about this film, the best part of it was the mysterious and inspiring storyline. Throughout the film, the plot seems pretty easy to figure out: entire legion disappears in unexplored lands, son goes to solve the mystery and restore his family's honor, and then finds his father has survived within the natives' community with the Eagle safe and sound. However, anyone who thinks this is what happens would be very wrong. Every moment of the film is so suspenseful that it's hard to really know what will happen. One minute, something's happening and you think that you can see what direction the scene will go, and then the next minute, something totally unpredicted happens. This is not a bad thing, because the whole film is made better by the great storytelling.

            For anyone who didn't really have any intention to go see this movie, don't be deterred, because it's actually better than you think. This film is a truly entertaining thing to behold, with a great balance of good acting, skillful storytelling, and not too many fight scenes.

Anthony Hopkins is all "Rite"

         While "The Rite" presents itself as an entertaining and well-acted film, it fails to show the audience anything new or original.

          The film tells the story of an American seminary student named Michael (Colin O'Donoghue) who, after a loss of faith, attends an exorcism course with the Vatican. He is referred to a seasoned exorcist, Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), who helps him see the light by having him assist in the exorcism of a young Italian girl. When things turn for the worst, Michael must accept his faith with the help of a journalist named Angelina (Alice Braga) in order to save Father Lucas.

         As inspiring as the film's message is, most of the film doesn't offer anything original to the exorcist horror film genre. As with films like "The Exorcist" and "The Last Exorcism," the story follows the same plot line of a priest going through a crisis of faith, and through an encounter with a possessing demon, finds his belief in God by believing in the Devil. While some people might enjoy that kind of story, the truth is that it is hard for anyone to take it seriously anymore. In a world where people find it harder and harder to keep their faith in God, this film does little to serve as a reminder as to why it is important to believe in a higher power.

        What makes the film powerful, however, is the brilliant and incredible acting of veteran Sir Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas. Playing a priest who's been around the block and performed over two thousand exorcisms certainly doesn't diminish this man's heartfelt performance. In fact, his character was the most believable in the entire film simply because it was him. At some points, you forget that it's even acting. The greatest example is the point in the film where Lucas goes through a crisis of faith himself when his possessed patient dies, and it takes the faith of the young skeptical Michael to bring him back to the light. The polarization of the character is awesome to watch, and reminds the audience that Hopkins isn't going anywhere any time soon.

       For people who enjoy these kinds of films, head out to the cinemas this weekend and check out the former number one film at the box office.

Rascal Flatts still cool

         The country-pop band Rascal Flatts released their brand new album, Nothing Like This, on November 16. As per their usual success, the album continues to reflect the band's versatility and ability to adapt to current popular music, while also holding on to their country roots. 

          This album has already produced a hit single, and strives to continue the band's popularity. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox (lead vocals), Jay DeMarcus (bass guitar, keyboards/piano, vocals), and JoeDon Rooney (lead guitar, vocals).  Rascal Flatts has released seven studio albums (all of which have been certified Platinum and/or Multi-Platinum) and a greatest hits album. In that time they've released 27 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including ten number ones. Their number one singles include: "Bless the Broken Road", "What Hurts the Most", "My Wish", "Stand", "Take Me There", and "Here Comes Goodbye". The group has an uncommon youth demographic (18-25) for country music, where the average listener is 44 years old.  

         This album makes use of the band's talents with several different instruments as well as the regular country set. The title track of the album, Nothing Like This, is a slow, orchestral-sounding ballad that is loving and heartfelt. The band's ability to deliver powerful, emotional songs has always been one of their trademarks, and it is made apparent by several songs on the album. Another song that holds true to this style is "Easy", a sad song that features Natasha Bedingfield. The song comes from the perspectives of a man and woman, both recovering from their break-up, claiming that seeing each other out and about and having fun is easy to do, but how they don't know hard it really is for both of them. The hit single on the album is the already popular "Why Wait", which remains much more upbeat and fun-sounding than the aforementioned songs. The song chronicles a man that convinces his sweetheart to get married immediately because there's no point in waiting. The song has a hopeful and confident note to it, and while it does admit that doing something like that is crazy, anyone who's been really in love knows what that's like.

         The album is definitely not one of Rascal Flatts' best, but it does show a lot of promise. At this rate, the band will continue to be successful, and may someday enter the country music hall of fame.

"Megamind" kills brain cells

          With the release of the latest addition to the 3D animated film genre, Megamind opened on November 5, making an impressive jump to number one at the box office in the two weeks since its release. Its success has also spawned several statements that the film may be a contender for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film. The film's success and praise is undeserved, however, for it was nothing special, and was especially dry and emotionless for a children's film. With the voice talents of comedic actors Will Ferrell and Tina Fey, and A-list actor Brad Pitt, the forced humor and exaggerated dialogue is lost upon older audience members while children may be left confused by the strange storyline.
           After super-villain Megamind (Ferrell) kills his good-guy nemesis Metro Man (Pitt), he becomes bored since there is no one left to fight. After the accidental inspiration from reporter Roxanne Ritchie, he creates a new foe, Titan (Jonah Hill), who, instead of using his powers for good, sets out to destroy the world, positioning Megamind to save the day for the first time in his life.
           While the animation (enhanced by 3D technology) is good, the acting, mostly through dialogue, comes up short. Ferrell not only proves that he has no place in being a voice talent for an animated film, but also shows that his humor isn't relatable to audiences under the age of 13. Fey also shows audiences that she only belongs in teenage and/or adult comedies, and has no place in animated films. While these two talents fall short when expected to carry the weight of the film, Pitt and Hill both steal the show to some degree. Pitt does splendidly in over exaggerating his role as a big-headed superhero, while Hill employs his awkward but street smart teenage/adult humor in his character of a cameraman-turned-super-villain.
          The film itself is disappointing for teenagers and adults thinking that it may be good, while children may enjoy it simply because it is an animated film with cool 3D effects. It is recommended that if one chooses to go see this film, grab a matinee ticket for the 2D version of it.

Jason Aldean throws "My Kinda Party"

Country music singer/songwriter Jason Aldean released his newest album, My Kinda Party, on November 2. Aldean is one of the latest of a new kind of country artist that infuses the driving rock sound with a pure country voice. This album is a testament to that style of country music, and it solidifies Aldean's position as one of the big-time artists in contemporary country.
He has recorded four albums on the independent Broken Bow Records label: Jason Aldean (2005), Relentless (2007), Wide Open (2009), and My Kinda Party (2010).
These albums have accounted for eleven singles on the Billboard country singles charts, including number one hits "Why," "She's Country," "Big Green Tractor," and "The Truth." "Crazy Town" is the most recent and fourth single from the album, which peaked at #2.
With songs like "Tattoos on this Town," "Just Passing Through," "Texas Was You," and the title track "My Kinda Party," Aldean does more than enough to ensure his place in the hearts of his fans as a great country artist. However, he also shows his versatility by doing something different in his rendition of Colt Ford's "Dirt Road Anthem." In this song, Aldean continues his slow and steady but energetic country rock while also rapping several lyrics of the song. This deviation from his usual style offers a new kind of voice to his country mode of performance, and further enhances his talent as a musician and performer.
With the release of this album, Aldean rises to the upper echelon of recent country stars taking the increasingly popular country music industry by storm such as Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and Luke Bryan. With Aldean's recent performance at the New England Country Music Festival in August, it is clear that a large majority of people in the northeast have proclaimed country to be the number one genre of this region. If anymore artists come about and continue to entertain just like Jason Aldean, country is sure to take down any competition.

Sugarland doesn't impress

The country music band Sugarland released their new album, The Incredible Machine, on October 19. The duo is composed of singer-songwriters Jennifer Nettles (lead vocals) and Kristian Bush (vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and harmonica). Founded in 2002, their second album produced their first two # 1 singles, "Want To" and "Settlin'," and won the duo a Grammy for "Stay." In 2008 they released their third album, which has produced three more # 1 singles with "All I Want to Do," "Already Gone" and "It Happens."
Sugarland is best known for their style of country music, which has a versatile range from fun songs to heart-felt ballads. Their past hit singles are an example of this, and all of them have tended to be quite enjoyable. However, this new album is not as impressive as previous work, and it is sadly disappointing. Many of the songs did not sound like country music, which is ridiculous for a good country duo. Even the album's title track, "The Incredible Machine," was a bland, uninteresting song.
Only one song on the album, "Stuck Like Glue," actually redeems the band's credibility because it is a very entertaining song. When listening to the song, it sounds like a cute little song about a close and loving relationship. However, once the music video is watched, it is clear that it is more about a psychotic girl that stalks and eventually kidnaps a man that she is enamored with. The fact that the song has already made it to the top spot on the country Top 40 list is a clear reflection of the song's catching popularity.
If anyone was planning to go out and buy this album, it would be better not to bother wasting money on it. Instead, go on the Internet and download the album's hit single because it's the only enjoyable song that it has.

Final "Saw" tortures in 3D

“Saw 3D” is a 2010 3D horror film that was released on October 29. Directed by Kevin Greutert and written by Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, it stars Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell, and Sean Patrick Flanery; Tobin Bell and Cary Elwes also briefly reprise their roles as John Kramer/Jigsaw and Dr. Lawrence Gordon. It is the seventh and final installment of the Saw film series, and the first and only film in the series to be shot in 3D.

An eighth installment was planned, but the decrease in the box office performance for “Saw VI” compared to previous installments led to “Saw 3D” being the final planned film in the series, and the plot concept for “Saw VIII” being incorporated into Saw 3D.” Upon view the film, it is hard to tell where that plot concept is incorporated, but the story meshes well anyways.

The film starts off with a bang, subjecting the audience to a trap set up in a public department store window for a large crowd of people to witness. It is obvious that the people outside are shocked and afraid at what is occurring only feet in front of them, and yet no one makes any actual effort to save those trapped inside, save for one person who calls the police (who, of course, don’t arrive in time). Whether these are sick people who secretly get a kick out of watching someone die, or they agree with the terms of the “game” and wish to see the deserved outcome, it is difficult to say.

As crazy and quick as this scene is, the rest of the movie continues with no mention of this event ever having occurred. Did the writers simply forget that the events of the movie should all tie together coherently, or was it just another trap set-up that holds no value in the film? The same question goes for the main game player of the film, Bobby Dagen (Flanery), a self-help guru who falsely claims to have been a Jigsaw survivor that soon finds himself actually playing a Jigsaw game of survival. The test for this man is understandable in its value for teaching him what it truly means to survive, but it literally holds no meaning to the plotline of the film. As the film comes to its conclusion, and the audience begins to decide that the film wasn’t worth the extra price for 3D (which it wasn’t), something happens that completely redeems the film for all its faults. Sparing the details in order not to spoil it, what happens is something so simple, yet elusive, that the audience could never have seen it coming.

Overall, this film was not great, nor was it special. It can be considered a fitting end to an already way-too-long horror franchise. What is most disappointing is the fact that it was not released in 2D anywhere at all. So, for those who already didn’t want to pay the $15 3D ticket price, there’s nothing to be done about it.

At last, a horror sequel that frightens in "Paranormal Activity 2"

"Paranormal Activity 2" is a 2010 psychological horror film that was released in theaters at midnight on October 22. Directed by Tod Williams and written by Michael R. Perry, it is a prequel/sequel to "Paranormal Activity," created by Oren Peli. The two characters from the original film, Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, both return in the new film, played by the two actors of the same names; they are joined by a new cast of characters, including a dog and a baby, who are relatives of Katie, and her sister Kristi.
The story takes place mostly before the events of the first movie, but does, at some point, continue from where the original left off. The action begins after experiencing what the family thinks is a series of "break-ins." They set up security cameras around their home, only to realize that the events unfolding before them are more sinister than they seem.
This new film is even freakier and scarier than the original, but in a different way. A far cry from a single video camera shooting in one bedroom, this film employs half a dozen camera angles in this house, thus adding a larger space where paranormal activity can occur. This causes the audience to feel apprehensive while viewing the footage. This also makes everything that happens much louder and bigger when they happen, which makes anyone watching jump out of their seat and gets their adrenaline start pumping.
What is also most impressive in the film is the way that the storyline ties into the first film. By having the events take place two months before that of the original film, and having them lead up to and after that film, the audience is given a better informed look at the background story of Paranormal Activity, which had little back-story to it in the first place. For those who have seen the first film, "Paranormal Activity 2" also explains why the events of "Paranormal Activity" happen at all, and this may cause the audience to really feel sympathy for Katie.
In some respects, "Paranormal Activity 2" is a much better and much scarier film than the first, and is in fact already doing very well at the box office. Because of its success so far, the director, Tod Williams, and producers have begun talks about creating a third and final film, one that will culminate and emulate the first two. While most horror films of this "found-footage" genre do not survive past even the first film, the Paranormal Activity franchise may go the distance and be successful so long as it sticks to the same premise and film-making techniques. So, if you're looking for a scary movie to see, as well as an unconventional date movie, "Paranormal Activity 2" comes highly recommended by most.

Toby Keith falls short in 'Bullets'

Country singer/songwriter Toby Keith released a new studio album Bullets in the Gun Oct. 5. Keith released his first four studio albums for Mercury Records before exiting in 1998. These albums all earned gold or higher certification, and produced several chart singles. Signed to Nashville DreamWorks in 1998, Keith released his next three albums, produced three more number ones each, and all of the albums were certified multi-platinum.
     When DreamWorks closed in 2005, Keith founded his own label in which he has released five studio albums on this label. He has also charted more than forty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including nineteen number one hits and sixteen additional Top Ten hits. His longest-lasting number one hits are "Beer for My Horses" (a 2003 duet with Willie Nelson) and "As Good as I Once Was" (2005), at six weeks each.
     As an artist who is known for really good music, this new album is a bit disappointing for an avid country music fan. Most of the songs on the album sound exactly the same, and do not make an effort to set themselves apart from any of Keith's previous work. The music is not very indicative of the work of one of the biggest and best country music stars of the last two decades.
     Only two of the songs on the album stand above the rest by being a little more distinct and enjoyable. The first is the title track, "Bullets in the Gun," a rough 'n' tough song with driving chords and a fiery-hot edge to it. The second is a more easy-going song called "Trailerhood," which sounds much more hillbilly and "out in the boonies" than the rest of the album.
     While this album is not exactly one of Toby Keith's best, one should not be deterred from enjoying some of his older and better music. For those who are fans of Keith and country music, there is much sympathy for having to enjoy only a few of his new songs while the rest will most likely either put you to sleep or give you a headache.

Darius Rucker is truly country

Darius Rucker released his second album for Capitol Records last October.
The title, Charleston, SC 1966, is inspired by Radney Foster's debut album, Del Rio, TX 1959.
Rucker first gained fame as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, of which he has been a member since the band's founding in 1986. The band has released five studio albums with Rucker as a member.
            In 2008, Rucker signed to Capitol Records Nashville as a country music artist, releasing his first solo album, Learn to Live, that year. Its first three singles – “Don't Think I Don't Think About It,” “It Won't Be Like This for Long” and “Alright” - all reached number one on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart, followed by the number three song “History in the Making.”
           On his debut album, Rucker's rich baritone, sentimental ballads and bright hooks made him the most successful African-American country singer in recent history. Rucker amps up that formula on this album, delivering a swaggering honky-tonk frat-boy duet with Brad Paisley, “I Don't Care”; a cutesy tale of domestic bliss, “Might Get Lucky”; and a road song that finds him longing for sweet tea and chivalry, “Southern State of Mind.”
            The most successful track on the album is “Come Back Song,” which has already made it to number two on the U.S. Country charts so far. The song is a heartfelt apology to a girl with whom he ended the relationship, and now reaches out to her for forgiveness.
             Overall, the album is a great example of Rucker's talent as a solo country artist. While people may call Hootie & and the Blowfish mediocre, Rucker's new career as a country singer is without a doubt his true calling. Charleston, SC 1966 is a truly enjoyable country music album, one that everyone should get to listen to sometime.

Zac Brown poised for gold with "You Get What You Give"

On September 21, 2010, the Zac Brown Band released their new studio album, You Get What You Give. The Zac Brown Band is an American country music band based out of Atlanta, GA. First formed in 2000, the group recently experienced a surge of popularity in the country music world. The lineup consists of Zac Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Jimmy De Martini (fiddle, vocals), John Driskell Hopkins (bass guitar, vocals), Coy Bowles (guitar, keyboards), Chris Fryar (drums) and Clay Cook (guitar, keyboards, mandolin, steel guitar, vocals).

They have also recorded four studio albums, and charted four number one singles on the Billboard country charts: "Chicken Fried," "Toes," "Highway 20 Ride," and "Free" in addition to the single "Whatever It Is," which peaked at number two on the same chart.

Their popularity arises from their mellow and easy-going country music, which has its own unique sound that sets them apart from other artists. The band has also won three awards in the last two years: the Academy of Country Music award for Top New Vocal Duo or Group, the CMT Music award for Breakthrough Video of the Year for "Chicken Fried," and most recently, the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

The album kicks off with "As She's Walking Away," a song which has made it to the #12 spot on the U.S. country charts. The track also features guitarist and country legend Alan Jackson, who is joined on the album by other guest artists such as Tony Rice, Aaron Carman, and Jimmy Buffett. The song is an excellent reflection of the band's style of country, blending easy-listening acoustic instruments to create a beautiful, heart-felt sound. Other notable tracks on the album include "Knee Deep (featuring Jimmy Buffett)," "Whiskey's Gone," "Colder Weather," and "Make This Day." One song in particular could possibly become the next hit single, "Quiet Your Mind," which is a very inspiring track for avid Zac Brown Band fans.

Overall, the Zac Brown Band has met the expectations of their fans and enthusiasts with an excellent album. The band is definitely making a name for themselves in the country music world, and has the potential to become one of the greatest. At the past Academy for Country Music Awards, the band was nominated for the highest honor, Entertainer of the Year. If the band continues with their amazing success, they may possibly take home the "gold" at the next awards show.

Kenny Chesney does it again with 'Hemingway's Whiskey'

After a year-long break from touring and recording, country singer and songwriter Kenny Chesney released his latest album, Hemingway's Whiskey, on September 28.

Chesney has recorded 16 albums which have produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Chesney has received numerous awards, including six Academy of Country Music awards, four consecutive Entertainer of the Year Awards, and six Country Music Association awards. He is one of the most popular touring acts in all of music, regularly selling out the venues at which he performs. His "Flip-Flop Summer Tour" was the highest-grossing country road trip of 2007.

Hemingway's Whiskey is the fourteenth studio album by the American country music recording artist, and it was released through BNA Records.

The album leads off with his newest hit single “The Boys of Fall,” a near perfect description of life in small town America. There's a line in the song that says: "In little towns like mine, that's all we got," and that's the way it is for many small towns all over the country. It is easy to understand that Chesney is trying to relate to those who grew up the way he did, and that he is connecting to his fans on a very personal level.

A feel good, toe-tapper, “Coastal,” is about breaking away from the routine of hard-working life and heading off on vacation. Listening to this song immediately following the previous track, “Live a Little (Love a Lot),” one is reminded of the simpler pleasures in life that not only must be cherished, but also made time for. Again, Chesney is connecting to his fans on a personal level, but in this song, it seems to be directed to those who work too hard in this tough economy.

“Where I Grew Up” proves to be one of the album's most touching songs. This track talks about dozens of scenarios that nearly every person has gone through in their lives. When we were all kids, it is imaginable that many of us said that we hope to never grow up. The message of this song is incredibly powerful in that it teaches that there are things in our lives that force us to grow up. What Chesney tries to communicate is that we must always remember that lesson, in which it is hard to hold on to the idea of never growing up. He also shows us that music is one of the greatest treasures in the world because it is an escape from the real world, and he gives us that in the song Reality. Finally, Chesney ends the album with the title track, “Hemingway's Whiskey”, a song which was inspired by Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea. The song is beautiful and mellow, and an easy-going song for anyone's listening pleasure.

Every single song on this album is amazing, and it just goes to show just how great of an artist Kenny Chesney really is. Although only one of the songs has become a hit single so far, nearly every song has the potential to rise up on the music charts.

Linkin Park bathes in the light of "A Thousand Suns"

On September 14, 2010, rock band Linkin Park released their new album, A Thousand Suns, to their avid fans. A Thousand Suns is a concept album dealing with nuclear warfare and themes of war in general. The band itself was formed back in 1996, and their past three albums have been extremely successful. Their hit singles include ‘In the End’, ‘Numb’, ‘Faint’, ‘Breaking the Habit’, and a mash-up alongside Jay-Z of ‘Numb’ and ‘Encore’.

The new album cover significantly reflects the nature of the band's music. It presents a white background with a black 'sun' in the middle of the cover. It is not a complete sun, however, because the white light of the background outshines the black, breaking through the black mold of that sun. The back of the cover shows a nearly all-black background with the white light just barely breaking through the darkness. The inside covers display a mixture of white fire and dark fire, signifying the fire that burns in the light of 'a thousand suns'.

Their new album features music that is similar to their earlier work; however there are many of differences as well. It has a cutting edge sound that is different from anything else that's out there. The band plays with some genres of music that most have not seen by them before, which sets the album apart from its predecessors. The album opens with The Requiem, a haunting piece followed by the recitation of a quote from the Hindu Sanskrit text Bhagvad Gita (where the album gets its title), which was made famous by J. Robert Oppenheimer in reference to the atom bomb. What follows are many tracks that are very different from Linkin Park's earlier music. Songs such as ‘Numb’ and ‘In the End’ had a distinct blend of rock, metal, and hip-hop. The songs that A Thousand Suns present, such as ‘Wretches and Kings’, bring forth more hip-hop but with a darker, rougher edge.

Most notable on the album is its first single, ‘The Catalyst’, which is first hit single in several years. The lyrics are well-written and also successfully reflect the cover art of the album. They are also stylized with references to nuclear warfare and death. The song is the perfect "catalyst" to spark interest in the band's new albums. For everyone who is an avid Linkin Park fan, it is definitely recommended for the listening pleasure of all.

"Legends of the Guardians" will excite audiences everywhere

Directed by Zach Snyder (visionary director behind "300" and "Watchmen"), and from the creators of "Happy Feet," comes "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole," a 2010 computer-animated fantasy film, loosely based on the first three books (The Capture, The Journey, and The Rescue) of the series Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky. The film features Jim Sturgess, Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush, Ryan Kwanten, Abbie Cornish, Richard Roxburgh, Hugo Weaving, and David Wenham, all of whom lent their voices to the characters.

The film tells the story of Soren, a young barn owl, who is kidnapped by owls of St. Aggie's, ostensibly an orphanage, where owlets are brainwashed into becoming soldiers. He and his new friends escape to the island of Ga'Hoole, to assist its noble, wise owls known as The Guardians. The Guardians fight the army being created by the wicked rulers of St. Aggie's.

Once again, Snyder has taken a successful series of books and created a visual masterpiece through his unique style of film-making. A far cry from the graphic novel adaptations that he is most famous for, Snyder shows his versatility by putting together this children's story on screen, communicating his story-telling effortlessly to audiences of all ages. The film is not only great entertainment for all, but it is also very informative and educational as well. When the owls are not personified by the elements of fantasy, they are portrayed the way real owls behave, from their nocturnal hunting skills to the regurgitation of "owl pellets."

Although being a family film, some of the film's subject matter most definitely requires parental guidance for young children. The film received a rating of PG for sequences of scary action, but in reality, certain parts should be considered a little too violent for younger children. The battle scenes are very intense for younger audience members, and some of the owl politics and betrayals may not be understood by children. Also, with the evil owls kidnapping young owlets and brainwashing them into becoming soldiers to serve their diabolical schemes, the relevance to the epidemic of recruiting child soldiers in various conflicts around the world is hard to ignore.

While the film was viewed as a regular animated movie, the film was also widely released in 3D, a feature evident in the style of film-making. It is easy for one to see that the film would be best viewed in 3D, and it is absolutely worth the premium ticket price. The film is definitely the best animated film to be released this year, and it will be interesting to see if it can take home the Academy Award this winter.

Not your average 'Exorcism'

"The Last Exorcism" is a 2010 American faux documentary horror film directed and edited by Daniel Stamm, and produced by Eli Roth (director of "Hostel"). It stars Patrick Fabian, Iris Bahr, Louis Herthum, and introduces actress Ashley Bell. The film is told from the perspective of a disillusioned evangelical minister named Cotton Marcus (Fabian), who after years of performing exorcisms, decides to participate in a documentary chronicling his last exorcism while exposing the fraud of his ministry. After receiving a letter from a farmer (Herthum) asking for help in driving out the devil, he meets the farmer's afflicted daughter (Bell). What follows is a horrific and frightening experience the likes of which he has never seen before.

Shot with the "shaky camera" style and using the "found footage" genre of horror movies that has made films like "The Blair Witch Project", "Quarantine" and "Paranormal Activity" famous, "The Last Exorcism" takes the well-known plot devices of a demon possessed/exorcism film, such as "The Exorcist" and "The Exorcism of Emily Rose", and twists it into a crazy ride full of surprises and thrills like never seen before. The storyline itself is interestingly different for this kind of genre, moving the plot along by misdirecting the audience's thoughts and attentions and then twisting them when least expected.

What is most amazing, and shocking about this film is the chilling performance by newcomer Ashley Bell. Her portrayal of a tormented teenager surrounded by terrifying and unnatural happenings is very disturbing. She shows her range as an actress by going from a lovely, kind and innocent young girl to a frightening and violent individual that would make any person afraid. The film's most memorable shot is during the exorcism in the tool shed when Bell's character, Nell, is subjected to an incredible "back bend", an excruciating vision of the "possessing demon's" power and cruelty. What makes this sight powerful is that it was not created by CGI or enhancing the footage in any way, but was actually done by Bell herself. Now, that is a clear example of an actor/actress's dedication to his/her part.

Overall, the film was not the normal kind of exorcism horror movie, but the storyline was solid and interesting, and the characters were believable and well-acted by the cast. With the Halloween season coming up, this film makes an excellent addition to that genre. It will be interesting to see if other films, such as "Saw 3D" and "Paranormal Activity 2", will live up to the expectations of everyone as well.

Rating: 4 Stars

Faux "Grindhouse" trailer explodes onto the screen in "Machete"

‘Machete’ is an action film co-written, produced, and directed by Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis. It is an expansion of a faux trailer that was released together with Rodriguez' and Quentin Tarantino's 2007 ‘Grindhouse’. The film tells the story of an ex-Federale nicknamed Machete, who, after being betrayed by the organization who hired him, launches a brutal rampage of revenge against his former boss. Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin and Jeff Fahey return to portray their characters from the original trailer, while Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal, Lindsay Lohan, Don Johnson, Jessica Alba, and Robert De Niro join the cast to make this film full of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Machete continues the "B movie" and exploitation style of ‘Grindhouse’, including in part the same footage. Filmed with the grainy look and using painfully fake blood and gore gives the film a sort of 1970s feel to it. Also, the action of the film is very over the top to the point of near-parody, but good fun for any action movie junkie. Other things that were notably over-the-top included the dialogue, which was cheesy at times but good for keeping the plot going. The violence and gore was present throughout the film but didn't reach the point of nauseating.

While the entire cast brought something special to the film, the one who stood out was Trejo as Machete, appearing in his first starring role as the title character. While his character didn't say a whole lot in the film, the audience finds that it isn't necessary for him to speak much at all. All of his dialogue was solid and well-spoken, as well as short and direct. Also, for an actor who is sixty-four years old, Trejo got into amazing shape for the role, and was able to pull off all of the fighting and stunts shown in the film.

Overall, this film is an incredible example of well-done film-making on Rodriguez' part. The characters were well-casted and the storyline worked well with the basis of the faux trailer from 2007. It is hoped that those who go see the movie can appreciate the artwork at hand in the film, but must also hope that this kind of film doesn't catch on in the way that 3D films have taken over the film industry. These old-style, "B movie" exploitation films are really good when produced correctly, but they should remain rare and unique. There's been speculation that director/producer/actor Eli Roth plans to expand his faux trailer ‘Thanksgiving’, also from ‘Grindhouse’, into a full-length feature.

Action Film Match-up: "Kick-Ass" VS. "The Losers"

In the course of one week in April, two films have opened in movie theaters that have wowed the audiences and made them laugh at the same time. Those two films are “Kick-ass”, which opened on April 16^th, and “The Losers”, released April 23^rd. Both are action-packed comedies based on comic books of the same names that have received positives from critics and viewers alike. However, it is difficult to decide which is the better and more entertaining film. In viewing both films, which is the best?

“Kick-ass” tells the story of an ordinary teenager, Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), who sets out to become a real-life superhero calling himself Kick-Ass. When Dave gets caught up in a bigger fight, he meets Big Daddy (Nicholas Cage), a former cop who, in his quest to bring down the evil drug lord Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong), has trained his eleven-year-old daughter to be the ruthless vigilante Hit-Girl (Chloë Moretz).

In “The Losers”, five members of an elite United States Special Forces team lead by Col. Frank Clay (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) are sent into the Bolivian jungle. The team finds themselves the target of a betrayal instigated from the inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max (Jason Patric). Believed to be dead, the group makes plans to even the score when they're joined by the mysterious Aisha (Zoe Saldana), a beautiful operative with her own agenda.

From an action film standpoint, both movies present their own share of great action. “Kick-ass” competes well with its impressive martial arts and almost impossible firefights. Seeing a 13 year old girl killing criminals with a doubled-bladed staff, shooting hit men through the air, and then using profane language is almost too amazing. Also, seeing Nicholas Cage shoot that girl to show her what it feels like to be shot with a bullet-proof vest on is just priceless. However, while “Kick-ass” provides great action, “The Losers” take the edge for action in this competition. If Rambo had four clones and they worked as a team, then that would best describe the action in this film. A five-man SpecOps team with each member bringing their own expertise to the table is a recipe for non-stop action throughout the film. The most notable action scene is when the team takes down a full base of 50 guards armed with AK-47’s in less than eight minutes using just the five of them in a Humvee. It is doubtful that the superheroes of “Kick-ass” could pack that big of a punch.

As for the comedic aspect of these films, “The Losers” has its moments of humor that are skillfully produced by very good acting from the entire cast. One of the funniest moments is Jensen (Chris Evans), dressed as a courier, walking into an elevator listening to “Don’t Stop Believin’” on his IPod and singing along loudly to it. However, “Kick-ass” is definitely the more humorous film of the two. The movie is of the same kind of humor that was first created in memorable comedies such as “Superbad” and “Zombieland”. The main character, a socially awkward comic nerd who has no fighting skills at all, trying to beat up three thugs in order to save a man they were attacking was so hilarious that one has to see it to believe it. Also, hearing 13 year old Hit Girl swear so much it makes your ears fall off, and ask her dad for butterfly knives for her birthday, is enough to keep you laughing throughout the whole movie, even during the serious parts.

Overall, both films were very entertaining in the main aspects of action and comedy. “The Losers” definitely played out the non-stop action even though “Kick-ass” held its own with style and a considerably larger amount of bloodiness, while “Kick-ass” took the cake with its hilarity despite the humorous acting of “The Losers.” Everything resulted evenly, which makes it hard to decide which was the better action comedy film. It is highly recommended that everyone go out and see both of these awesome films. Ultimately, the viewers will have to decide for themselves which one they like better. 

Jude Law transitions well in "Repo Men"

“Repo Men” is a film set in a futuristic world where people live longer lives as result of artificial organs manufactured by a company called The Union. This company sells people these mass-produced organs, providing them with a payment plan that can fit their needs. However, there is a catch: if you miss your payments for 90 days, the company can send out their skilled “repo men”, who will repossess your organs without any regard to your comfort or survival.

In this film, the main character is Remy (Jude Law), a repo man who suffers cardiac arrest while on the job and given an artificial heart. He begins to miss payments, so The Union sends out his former partner Jake (Forest Whitaker) to retrieve his heart. Out on the streets, Remy meets Beth (Alice Braga), another possessor of artificial organs who teaches him how to evade The Union and the Repo Men.

With the good storyline as well as the intense action and gore, this is quite an entertaining movie. The concept is quite intriguing, and the idea of organs being readily available to anyone is a very hopeful idea. The thought of men sent to stun, cut up, and take organs from people is simply barbaric to think about. However, the dialogue of the characters in the film can get a bit cheesy at some points, and other times, it’s dead-on perfect. 

Jude Law shocks and awes with his incredible acting as Remy, the best repo man in the business. His smooth British accent compliments him well as he sets out through the movie, dizzying the viewer with his cool poise as he cuts open people at first, followed by his amazing prowess as a fighter when he’s taking down enemies. It’s his character’s turnaround in attitudes and beliefs that shines the most, as he goes from being the hunter to the hunted. Forest Whitaker also demonstrates that he is an amazing stunt fighter as well as an Academy Award winning actor. For all this, it’s the raw emotion that one sees in his character when he is torn between following his job and not killing his best friend and partner.

All in all, this film is very enjoyable for anyone who loves the appeal of action thrillers and gory violence. While it’s not perfect, it does have its memorable moments, from the gory and shuddering opening scene right up to the shocking, but somewhat disappointing twist at the end. However, don’t let that be a deterrent to not see it, because it is good entertainment for any moviegoer. 

"Clash of the Titans" would make ancient Greeks proud

“Clash of the Titans” is a fantasy remake of the 1981 film of the same name. Directed by Louis Leterrier, the film is loosely based on the Greek myth of Perseus, the man who slew the Medusa and captured the Pegasus. The film set in the Greek city of Argos where a war is about to explode between man and the gods. Perseus (Sam Worthington) is raised as a fisherman, but is actually a demi-god. Perseus is the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) who is about to take on the gods after the death of his family. Zeus' brother Hades (Ralph Fiennes) was the one who kill his family, and Perseus wants to kill him. However, it is Perseus's destiny to rescue the city of Argos from the ruthless rage of Hades and his Kraken monster. With nothing to lose, Perseus leads a band of soldiers on a quest to defeat the Kraken. In doing this, Perseus will prevent Hades from overthrowing Zeus and in turn destroying mankind.

While a fitting tribute to the original film, what stands out first and foremost are the entertaining visual effects that splash onto the film like the Kraken’s tentacles. The addition of watching the film in 3D puts the audience right in the middle of the action and holds on tightly, especially during the adrenaline-fueled battle with the giant scorpions halfway through the movie. However, it is notable to point out that while the 3D feature enhances the CGI, it is really unnecessary in a way, for the film would have been equally as entertaining without wearing 3D glasses.

Also an excellently designed creature in the film is the Medusa, who appears much sexier and scarier than the original one, despite having writhing snakes for hair. The most impressive example of visual design and effects is that of the Kraken itself, which looks much more lethal and unstoppable than the original. Even though it is cool to see on the big screen, it’s a pity that it is only seen for a brief period in the film.

While the film is full of scenes that entice the audience with its incredible CGI, there are other aspects to it that do not seem to keep up with all the visual effects. The actors give “B” performances at best, and the script wasn’t very strong. Those that were most expected to wow the audience such as Liam Neeson, who plays the mighty Zeus, did not deliver quite to the best of their ability. Sam Worthington, best noted for his heartfelt performance in “Avatar”, does not give a very emotionally charged performance, even though he seems to be becoming the face of action-adventure films. Finally, the script for the film did not produce any meaningful dialogue, but instead gave short bursts of conversations and revelations that help move the film’s plot from action scene to action scene.

Needless to say, it is the film’s visually exciting action sequences that are its only strong asset. However, this does not mean that the film was not entertaining or fun to see. While it lacks in some areas, the film takes a great story from Greek mythology and portrays it on the big, 3D screen in a way that would make even the ancient Greeks proud. For anyone who enjoys the craftsmanship of visual effects that is evident in “Clash of the Titans”, then this film is worth seeing if you get a chance.

Lady A "needs you now"

Lady Antebellum is an American country music group that was formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. Its group members include Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals), Dave Haywood (background vocals, guitar, piano and mandolin), and Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals). Since signing on with Capitol Records Nashville in 2007, the group has released two award-winning albums which include their debut album, “Lady Antebellum”, and their latest album, “Need You Now”. They have also recorded five hit singles including “Love Don’t Live Here”, Lookin’ For a Good Time”, “I Run to You”, and from their new album, “Need You Now”, and “American Honey”. Their music and styles have been compared to other country artists such as Love and Theft (also new), Gloriana, Sugarland, and Miranda Lambert.  

The band’s latest album, “Need You Now”, is definitely a new sound compared to their debut album. Each song plays smoothly throughout the album, and flows well into the next song, creating a list of songs that mesh perfectly with one another. Most of the songs were co-written by the band’s members, and you can definitely hear that authentic singer-songwriter quality in their music that one doesn’t often hear in contemporary music, but will often hear in country music. What makes the album special, however, are the beautiful and emotional lyrics that form the essence of Lady A’s music.

To see the best examples of the band’s amazing lyrics for this album, one must first listen to their current hit singles that have been rocking not only the country charts, but the U.S. Billboard charts. The album’s title song, “Need You Now”, is a really great, catchy song that is relatable to anyone who has ended a relationship but still long for one another. There is deep emotion to be found in the lyrics, as in the opening chorus lyrics: “It’s a quarter after one, I’m all alone, and I need you now.” The album’s second hit single, “American Honey”, is a very different sound and feel from the title song. The song’s music has a very mellow, pleasant sound, and would be described to be sweet like “American honey”. The lyrics seem to describe the sweet love for American honey, but also a young girl who seems to personify the innocence and sweetness of youth, and the desire to go back to a time that was as sweet as summer and honey.

The album also combines a good mix of upbeat, catchy, feel-good songs with soft, slow, heart-felt songs. Songs like “Our Kind of Love”, “Stars Tonight”, “American Honey”, and “Something “Bout a Woman” are among the catchy, feel-good songs that could be compared to songs from not only their debut album, but from artist bands like Gloriana and Love and Theft. These are songs to listen to when someone is in a downer kind of mood because of the upbeat music and lyrics. Likewise, songs like “Hello World”, “When You Got a Good Thing”, “If I Knew Then”, and “Ready to Love Again” are good examples of the slow songs that have heart-felt emotion and strong lyrics. Some of these songs are beautiful love songs that could be played as wedding songs, while others have good messages for people who’ve been through sad experiences.

Some songs stick out more than others, however, and could potentially become hit singles in the coming months of 2010. “Perfect Day” has an upbeat country edge to it, has very happy, catchy lyrics, and would be a good song to hear on the radio in the summer. “Love This Pain” is a very strong song that is very upbeat, but has a bit of a sad feel to the lyrics, much like the song “Runaway” by Love and Theft. “Something “Bout a Woman” is a real feel-good song that has a country twang to it and good instrumentals.

The song that stands out the most is the finale at the end of the album list, “Ready to Love Again”. This is a very uplifting song that is a reminiscent combination of “Need You Now” and “I Run to You” (previous hit single from debut album). In contrast to the album’s title song, this one describes someone who has gotten over the heartbreak and loss of a past love relationship and they are “ready to love again”. If you listened to this song right after hearing “Need You Now”, the song could be played as a companion track to the other song. The lyrics of this song have an especially powerful emotional feel to them, as many people have gone through the process of being ready to try and express love after suffering a broken heart.

Overall, this album is Lady Antebellum’s best music and lyrics to date, and they continue to show promise through their work. This dynamic trio keeps on producing and recording great hits, and if they keep it up with these incredible songs that catch the ears of millions of people, then 2010 and the coming years ought to be very promising for Lady A.

"The Book of Eli" offers something for every viewer

“The Book of Eli”, directed by the Hughes brothers, is a post-apocalyptic tale in which a lone man named Eli (played by Denzel Washington) fights his way across America against gangs of hijackers, thieves and murderers in order to protect a sacred book that is not the last of its kind, but also holds the secrets to saving mankind. On the way, his biggest enemy is a surviving town-leader named Carnegie (played by Gary Oldman), who is also searching for this book in order to use it to control the people in his town. Along the way, he is joined by a young girl named Solara (played by Mila Kunis) who hears an excerpt from Eli’s book and is inspired to follow him in his journey.

The action scenes in the film were incredibly well-done and were heart-racing from beginning to end. When Eli and Solara come to a gunfight stand-off at a house in the middle of nowhere against Carnegie and his men, it is highly intense and very entertaining for action film junkies. However, the scenes are also fairly brief, for they often end only a few minutes or several seconds after they begin. When Eli is attacked by hijackers and swiftly kills them all at the beginning of the film, it only lasts maybe 20 seconds. When the action scenes are over, the film continues at quite a slow pace, especially when Eli is walking through barren wastelands and old highways filled with crashed, abandoned cars. Because of this, the film has a sense of isolation and emptiness, but also wariness and danger, much like in the 2007 Will Smith film “I Am Legend”. However, this does not detract from the actual context of the story, for there are many messages throughout that teach the audience to not take for granted what they have and to have faith.

As it is a thought-provoking and amazing film, I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story. I also reassure those who are skeptical about it that the movie has something for everyone. Whether it be the intense action sequences, the moving dialogue, or the suspenseful story that leads right up the shocking realization at the ending, the movie should definitely be an enjoyable experience to any movie-goer.