Gary's Quick Picks: Movie Recommendations by Guest Blogger Gary Dion

GARY DION'S...

The other day I found myself in need of a couple movies to watch. I actually had some down time so I went to MovieStop to see what I could come up with. I immediately found 3 movies that all turned out to be great finds. Let me share them with you.

There was The Way starring Martin Sheen which was directed by his son Emilio Estevez. Then there was the movie Retreat which had a stellar cast, including Cillian Murphy, Thandie Newton, and Jamie Bell. Finally, I watched Puncture with Chris Evens playing the lead role.

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The WAY

This is a story about a father and son. The son (played by Emilio Estevez) is trying to find himself, so he decides to go on a trek. Many people take this journey every year for their own reasons-- religious, personal, mental or to just find themselves. On the first day of his journey, the son has an accident and dies. I know this sounds like a major spoiler, but this is revealed in the trailer and on the back of the dvd box.

Anyway, his father, played by Martin Sheen, must now travel over there to retrieve his son's body. While there, he learns what his son was trying to do and decides to undertake the journey on his own. He then has his son's body cremated and leaves the ashes along "The Way".

As he travels, he meets up with several characters while walking-- all searching for a way to defeat their own demons. The movie is touching and funny. Emilio Estevez has written and directed several movies and this is his best one so far.

RETREAT

With a very small, but excellent cast, this thriller will wow you. A husband and wife need to get away from everything to try and reconnect after an event affects them. The husband is portrayed by Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, Inception, Red Eye, Batman Begins) and the wife is played by Thandie Newton (Mission Impossible 2, ER). They rent a house that is located on a small, desolated island when a man stumbles toward the house, then passes out. He's battered and bleeding so the couple bring him into the house to help him.

The mystery man is portrayed by Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot, The Eagle, Man on a Ledge). When he awakens, he tells the couple that he was involved in an accident where he was stationed that included a deadly virus that was supposedly released into the atmosphere and now they must seal up the house to try and prevent infection. But while he frantically runs about the house boarding up doors and windows, the couple begin to wonder if he is telling the truth or if he is simply psychotic/delusional.

The ending is perfect. The three actors all do an incredible job. So when you do sit down to watch it, just relax and hold your breath for the ride...oh and also just in case there is a virus going around...



PUNCTURE

Based on a true story, Chris Evens (or better known now as Captain America) gives a magnificent performance as a lawyer (one of the dreaded "Ambulance chasing" kind) who takes on a case more for the prestige then for the actual subject. But he soon discovers the importance of the case. It involves the invention of the disposable needle for hospitals.

At the time, hospitals were using the reusable needles but there were numerous reports of nurses getting infected by them. The disposable needles would obviously stop this from happening. The lawsuit was against the company that made and distributed the reusable needles.

Throughout the movie, Chris Evan's character is the total opposite of his role as Captain America, but somehow he still stands up as a hero. After you watch this film, let me know what you think about the ending by leaving a comment. Do you think it was just another "Hollywood" ending?

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So now your day is planned out for you with these 3 great titles. All you need now is a quick stop at Chick-Fil-A to grab a platter of nuggets so you have something to munch on as you watch!

Enjoy!



Like Gary's review? Have questions for him? You can leave comments below and/or check out his Guest Blogger Introduction HERE!

Movie Review: Take Shelter, A Review by Gary Dion

Title: Take Shelter
Director: Jeff Nichols
Actor(s): Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain
Rated: R
Genre: drama, thriller, indie
Theme: Apocalypse, mental illness
Runtime: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 14 February 2012
Website: Take Shelter
Buy: Amazon.com
Gary's Rating:


Synopsis: Following his acclaimed debut, Shotgun Stories, writer/director Jeff Nichols reteams with actor Michael Shannon to create a haunting tale that will creep under your skin and expose your darkest fears. Curtis LaForche lives in a small town in Ohio with his wife, Samantha, and daughter, Hannah, a six-year-old deaf girl. When Curtis begins to have terrifying dreams, he keeps the visions to himself, channeling his anxiety into obsessively building a storm shelter in his backyard. His seemingly inexplicable behavior concerns and confounds those closest to him, but the resulting strain on his marriage and tension within his community can’t compare with Curtis’s privately held fear of what his dreams may truly signify. Take Shelter features fully realized characters crumbling under the weight of real-life problems. Using tone and atmosphere to chilling effect, Nichols crafts a powerful psychological thriller that is a disturbing tale for our times.

Gary Dion's Review: I was looking forward to seeing the new movie titled "Take Shelter" starring the little known actor Michael Shannon. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. Michael Shannon was superb as a man who is having visions of approaching doom and danger, but are they visions of what's to come or of what is being distorted in his mind? Since his character's mother was diagnosed with mental problems, did he inherit these traits?

The movie is a big mystery, keeps you guessing what's going on and wondering what's real. There are many intriguing scenes and tense moments but the trip in between these are too long and wearing. In the end, there is a worth while finale but by that time I was ready to go to bed. 30 minutes or so shorter may have allowed the movie to move along a little better but at least the performances by both Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain (who plays his wife) were worth watching. Just be ready for some down time if you do wish to partake in this film.

Reviewed By: Gary Dion

Like Gary Dion's review? Check out his author & book recommendation post HERE and check out his Guest Blogger Information HERE.

Mia's tidbit: Have you watched Take Shelter but can't make sense of the ending? Stay tuned for my Saturday post on what people are saying about the "ambiguous" ending and why I think there is no ambiguous ending!

2/20/12 **UPDATE** My Take Shelter Analysis has been put on hold! I will update everyone when it gets posted!

Author & Book(s) Recommendation by Guest Blogger Gary Dion

When trying to find a new book to read sometimes the best idea is to get the advice of an expert, so that's what I did. Some months back I was in need of a good companion in the form of a book. I tried to read a couple new authors but found I wasn't interested in what they had to say, or in this case, write. Then I stumbled upon an article from Stephen King in which he was listing the top 10 books he had read this past summer and near the top of the list he mentioned the book Too Close To Home by Linwood Barclay. I'm not sure what drew my attention to this particular title and author, it wasn't his number one selection but was close to the top, maybe it was his synopsis of the book, I don't remember but I decided to give the book a read. I found the book and tried reading a few pages, those few pages were good so I read more, those "more" were good too. Before I knew it I couldn't wait to be able to read more, I was hooked. The book turned out to be very good, so once I finished I looked for more of Linwood Barclay's books. I found them and I read them...all.

Now I don't consider myself an expert on books but I do consider myself an expert on movies and what is a book but simply a movie that you have to read the subtitles as you watch, but you watch through your mind's eye. But despite this lack of expertise I feel I should resoundingly recommend giving Linwood Barclay a try especially if you enjoy a well written thriller. Here are a couple to get you started: Too Close To Home, Fear The Worst, Never Look Away. Any one of these should do the job of keeping you deeply entertained.

--Gary Dion

Like Gary's recommendation? Check out his Guest Blogger Introduction which includes his contact information HERE