In Time

         While it may not be the best movie of the year, In Time was definitely worth watching. The film’s premise comes down to the saying “time is money.” People work for hours added to their life, and spend them on things like coffee and cars. While some live with only a day left showing on their arm, others live with centuries. Therein lies Will Salis’ (Justin Timberlake’s) goal: to reset the system and make everyone equal.

          Without a doubt, In Time has one of the greatest premises’ I have ever seen. Writer and director Andrew Niccol did a phenomenal job at turning a simple phrase into a full movie. He successfully created a world where people are constantly working to stay alive while others live without any fear. Along with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Stranger Than Fiction, In Time definitely has one of my favorite premise’s of all time.

          Before watching In Time, I was unsure of Justin Timberlake’s acting skills. I haven’t really seen him in anything big, and because he used to be in the band ‘Nsync, I assumed he wouldn’t be that great. However, I was pleasantly surprised by his performance and only noticed one time where his acting was poor. To his benefit, it was a crying scene which I imagine is the most difficult area within acting. 

          Also, I was enthralled by Cillian Murphy, who is one of my favorite actors. One of the reasons I enjoy his films is because of his versatility. Not only does he play a terrific villain like in Red Eye, Batman Begins, and In Time, but he also plays protagonists very well like in 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Inception.

          Personally, I would not buy In Time, but I definitely do not regret watching it. If anything, I would recommend it as an enjoyable action movie that can be watched several times.

Bones Season 7 Episode 1 "The Memories in the Shallow Grave"

          After watching the Bones season 7 premiere, I have come to the conclusion that this season will be highly complicated. With Dr. Brennan pregnant with Booth’s baby, the series will be taking an unusual turn down a path that has not been explored. The previous season was slowly developing the emotional and sexual relationship between Bones and Booth, but I felt that these developments stopped when Bones rejected Booth’s dating proposal. Despite this awkward circumstance, they slept together and Dr. Brennan was found to be pregnant.  

          The writing in the past 2 episodes has been sloppy, forced, and very confusing. When Bones revealed she was pregnant, I was extremely confused and upset because the scene where the couple slept together was filled with crying and comforting, not passion and sexual tension. While sex may have been vaguely implied, I feel that most viewers may not have felt convinced that sex actually took place.

          While Hodgins and Angela’s baby was born, Brennan and Booth have been developing a more romantic relationship. Within 3 episodes, the pair has gone from being emotionally distant to kissing, walking around naked, and having a baby. As viewers, we have watched 6 seasons without seeing any sort of major developments. The writers somehow decide that it is time to unload all of the tension into two episodes.   I feel like the show has become so mundane that the writers felt it was time to make the characters to things that are out of their nature. 

          Maybe the show taking a new direction is a good thing.  I would love to know what other people think of this.  

In Bruges

          I saw In Bruges a few years ago and never appreciated it until now. It is one of those movies that is funny every time you watch it due to the phenomenal screenplay written by Martin McDonagh. This black comedy film starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes portrays an different look at the life of a hitman. 

For each actor, this is my favorite role that they have played. Everyone seemed to flawlessly embody the persona of the character and deliver it to the audience with intense emotion.  Farrell especially does a brilliant job. His crying scenes have the perfect amount of sobbing and heartbreak to them. I personally felt terrible for Ray which is all because of Colin’s acting. This role of his has made me respect him much more and has convinced me that he has great talent.

Other than the phenomenal acting, the dialogue is absolutely captivating. Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson) have a confusing relationship. At times, they seem like best friends, sometimes enemies, but usually I think that Ken acts like a father figure to Ray. He stops Ray from committing suicide, and comforts him in his depression. In the end, Ken even sacrifices himself in order to inform Ray of Harry’s arrival. The dialogue between Ray and Ken is sensational, hilarious, and very quotable.

The story is extremely well written as well. The tension of having to kill your friend  is almost unnerving in some scenes (especially the suicide one). All of the symbolism between Bruges and The Last Judgement is very well done. The final scene between Harry and Ray symbolizes this painting because of the creepy looking people dressed in masks for the film production.  After re-watching the movie, I realized that Bruges symbolizes Heaven, Hell and Purgatory for the 3 separate characters. For Ken, Bruges is Heaven. He is in love with the architecture, history, and feel of Bruges. When he dies, I like to think that he went to heaven only because of his love for the city. Ray on the other hand hates Bruges. The people, seeing the sights, and his current circumstances only make him hate the city more. On his deathbed, he thinks that maybe Hell is actually Bruges. It is at this point that for the first time, he wants to live. Harry on the other hand loved Bruges as a child but never got to come back and see it. He comes to Bruges for revenge and doesn’t even care about the city or its beauty. Simply there to murder Ray and Ken, he has very few opinions of the city while he is actually in it.

The soundtrack to the movie is unbelievable. It is all relaxing piano music that makes me feel calm and peaceful. It makes me think of Bruges and its beauty which adds to both the movie and music.

As a writer and critic, I should probably find something bad to say about In Bruges in order to keep a more level opinion, but I honest can’t find anything. In Bruges is now one of my favorite movies that I will be enthralled by for years to come.