Prisoners - Noodles Review

8.5 out of 10 Noodles

We finally get an emotionally heavy movie this year to rival The Hunt, and this one's in English! If you didn't know, The Hunt is one of my favourite movies this year and it happens to be a foreign language film. I loved it so much though because it was so emotionally tense and real; I could really sympathize with the characters and get engrossed into the situation. Thankfully, Prisoners delivers essentially the same thing. And since it's an American film, more people will be able to experience it! So, to start it off, you should know that this movie is incredibly demanding. It puts a lot on your shoulders, so to speak, since it really takes you on this emotional and intense ride. It feels so real that you might end up thinking it's actually happening. It's one of those movies that seriously keeps you on the edge of your seat but also with your hand on your mouth, since it's so thrilling and real. Prisoners is a story about two normal suburban families that live on the same street and have Thanksgiving dinner together one year. That night, the two little girls of the families decide to go outside; however, they never come back. From then on; we have an extremely deep and dark film, filled with great cinematography, immaculate editing, top-notch performances, amazing dialogue, and some of the most intense emotional aspects of any movie in years.

If you wanted to see Wolverine go more berserk than he did in an X-Men movie, you've found it, because Hugh Jackman's portrayal in this movie is astounding. This is probably already my favourite performance of his to date. He's the father of one of these little girls that gets kidnapped and he conveys the disturbing depression and rage of the situation so greatly. You really feel like he's a real guy who would just do anything to get his daughter back. He's one of those guys who's just like, "the cops aren't doing enough, I need my baby girl back. Let's see what the hell I'm capable of." He's such a greatly layered character, that you understand what this situation is really doing to him, yet you're questioning if you should be on his side. What's so great about this movie is the layers and diversity of these characters. Terrence Howard's character, the other father, is a little more timid and is sometimes scared of how far Jackman's character is capable of going, yet you still know that he is wanting his daughter back. The moms, also, are played well (by Maria Bello and Viola Davis, respectively) in that one sort of wants to forget the event and move on, whereas the other is trying to hide all of her sadness. Another great performance in this movie is that of Jake Gyllenhaal's Detective Loki. It's a great plus that Gyllenhaal went through real police training for his last movie, End of Watch, and that he's proven himself to be able to act characters like this in movies like Zodiac. It all pays off because his performance in this movie rivals that of Hugh Jackman's, as he's the guy who's actually trying to keep everything under control and is the only one who is really trying to practically put together the pieces of this puzzle. Rounding out the cast is Paul Dano, who plays the prime suspect of this whole tragedy. His performance could split viewers, but I actually am on the side that really likes his acting. His character is chilling and mysterious, yet has an innocent look to him; which leads you to never know if he's really the sicko that did this or just some random unlucky guy. 

While the acting in this film is top-notch, so are the technical aspects. The directing of Denis Villeneuve is very David Fincher-esque (which is a huge complement since Fincher has directed some of my favourite movies of all time) mixed with a little bit of Clint Eastwood's flair from Mystic River. Just watching the movie makes you feel cold and your jaws feel worn out. It really gets you into the mood of this movie, as does the cinematography. Also, the editing of the movie is something to appreciate since most movies nowadays just incorporate quick cuts into all of their scenes. This movie takes its time with its scenes, which actually helps add to the intensity of the final product. And this movie would've fallen apart if its writing wasn't good, but thankfully it's great. The dialogue is all realistic, wherein you feel like a person in that situation would actually say that, truly adding to the realism, intensity, and other enticing factors that this movie has. Plus, the story and plot elements all fit together great. The crime is shaded and complex enough to keep you intrigued, yet accessible enough to understand it all when it's resolved.

All of these great elements make one believe that this movie is one that's easily watchable, since it's got so many great perks and aspects. However, it's a tough film, to say the least. When the shit hits the fan, this movie just becomes so heavy on you. The story and themes are very dark, cold, and incredibly depressing. Watching this movie is observing a family who's had their loved daughter suddenly and seamlessly stripped away from them and then witnessing how much that seriously affects them. For the two and a half hour run time, I wasn't bored at all. The movie throws so much emotion at you that you feel like you're a part of this all and you're always anticipating what's gonna happen next, while at the same time not even wanting to know. When a film can so masterfully engross you in such a tragic experience, it's quite amazing and quite exhausting. I can say that I really liked Prisoners because it is such a beautifully crafted film and it's so realistically and emotionally intense. It's a heavy experience and a depressing one which really affects its watchability factor, but it's ability to keep you locked in during this emotional ride makes it worthy of its 8.5 out of 10 Noodles. Oscar season has started early this year.

Top Ten '80s Movies

So I haven't been to the movies in awhile; therefore, I haven't been able to review any new movies. However, I've been watching a couple movies from the '80s, so since I haven't posted in awhile, I feel in the mood to list my favourite movies of the 1980s. So without further ado, here it is.

10. Predator (1987)
"GET TO THE CHOPPA!"
It only makes sense to start this list off with one of the best Arnold Schwarzeneggar movies. Predator is one of the best action movies of all time and it's one of the movies that's just filled with testosterone (meaning it's a manly good time). Arnie and a bunch of other soldiers are on a mission in the Central American jungle, until they find themselves hunted by an extra terrestrial warrior that we've come to know as the Predator. The Predator is one of my favourite movie aliens because it's just so awesome. I've always been into stealthy things; I'm a Metal Gear Solid fanboy, what do you expect? And the Predator is just so awesome in the way it stalks the the group of soldiers and kills 'em off. There's always that feeling of suspense when you don't know when this thing is gonna pop out and kill somebody. It's entertaining as hell, and the premise is interesting enough. Plus, it's got some of the best one-liners in film history. "Dude, you're bleeding!" "I ain't got time to bleed!"

9. The Shining (1980)
"HERE'S JOHNNY!"

One of the few horror movies I enjoy and appreciate is The Shining. Stanley Kubrick is a ground-breaking filmmaker. He pretty much redefined the sci-fi genre with 2001: A Space Odyssey, and later on he created one of my favourite movies, A Clockwork Orange. That's just a portion of his resume. He doesn't disappoint with this Stephen King adaptation. In one of my favourite Jack Nicholson performances, he plays a caretaker of an empty hotel during a harsh winter. However, insanity kicks into this easy job when he finds himself giving into cabin fever and provocation from ghosts of past hotel employees. Kubrick's direction is the main star here though. His extraordinary directing really heightens the tension in this film with the echoes of isolation and surrealism drowning you into this movie. And it's one of those movies that doesn't scare you with jump scares, but instead with cleverly frightening revelations.

8. Back To The Future (1985)

"The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?"

This is one of those movies that you can watch over and over again. I like the second and third movies but they're just not quite as great as the original. Back To The Future is one of the quintessential '80s movies and it's filled with some of the best laughs in any film. The premise even sounds funny; Marty McFly goes back 30 years and accidentally causes his teenage mother to fall in love with him. He now has to figure out a way to make his parents-to-be fall in love while also figuring out how to get back to the future. A lot of what happens in this movie is so ludicrous, but that's one of the best things about it. It's so ridiculous that you appreciate it. It's almost impossible to not enjoy Back To The Future.

7. Rain Man (1988)
"I'm an excellent driver..." 

Talk about one of the best acting performances ever! Dustin Hoffman in this movie absolutely kills it as Raymond in this movie. He steals every scene and is able to make you laugh hysterically or even cry briefly. That Oscar was well-deserved. However, pretty much all the acting is great in this movie and it's one of my personal favourite Tom Cruise performances as well. He plays Charlie, whose millionaire father has just died and has entrusted all of his money and his estate to Charlie's autistic brother, Raymond, who Charlie didn't even know existed up until now. It's a very lovable film, and it showcases some great character development and bonding.

6. Amadeus (1984)
"I was staring through the cage of those meticulous ink strokes, at an absolute beauty."
There's a lot of people that feel that they can't sit through this almost 3-hour period piece about classical music and quarrel. However, I enjoy it every time. Amadeus is one of those movies that critics use in comparison to other movies that aren't as technically brilliant; if you've ever hear "well, it's not Amadeus but..." then this is what they're talking about. Amadeus is actually told from the perspective of Antonio Salieri, who claimed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to be his rival. It's one of those movies that's astounding in almost every way. The production design and costumes are almost unmatched to this day, and the acting is superb, especially from the two leads. Just as well, the writing is superb, in which the dialogue is sophisticated enough to sound like they're speaking in the time period, but simple enough for us viewers to understand the actual conversations. Amadeus is truly one of the greatest films ever made but the only thing that holds it back from being an absolute favourite is its entertainment value. I enjoy it very much but to watch it, you have to sit down with it and focus on it for the entirety of its three hours. It's one of those movies that I can't really watch with friends because it's essentially not at all a popcorn movie; it's a beautifully made period piece that you have to be able to focus on. And if you can do that, you'll be seeing it for all its greatness.

5. Die Hard (1988)
"Nine million terrorists in the world and I gotta kill the one with feet smaller than my sister."
Die Hard is pretty much THE quintessential action movie. Sure, there are other awesome and great action movies out there, but nothing really touches the original Die Hard in being a true action movie. Like I said with Predator being filled with testosterone, Die Hard is overflowing with it, but it can also be watched by everyone not just manly men. It's really an entertaining, fast-paced, and clever movie that really redefined the action genre. Along with having a badass sarcastic hero and an awesome terrorist with the voice of Severus Snape, you know you're really in for something here. What's there to say about this movie that hasn't been said? It's the most actiony action movie ever and it's entertaining and thrilling to the end.

4. Aliens (1986)
"Get away from her, you bitch!"
You might be thinking about the last Harry Potter movie with that quote, but it's actually from Aliens when Ripley is in a giant mech fighting off the queen alien. No big deal, right? Actually, it's a huge deal because Aliens is awesome! I love Alien, the predecessor to this movie; it was claustrophobic, suspenseful, and it introduced one of the coolest creatures in cinema, the alien (or xenomorph, as they're officially called). I like that movie and this one almost equal because I can't really decide which one's better since they're so different. In Alien, we had one alien in the ship picking off the crew of the ship in a really creepy and isolated manner. But in Aliens, we have a whole troupe of space marines here to fight a horde of aliens. Whereas the first one's a sci-fi horror, this is an all-out sci-fi action. It's absolutely awesome and a lot of fun. It still retains the suspense and thrills but instead of making it scary, it makes it entertaining and actiony. And it's not one of those manly action movies; the hero is actually a woman, as Ripley is one of my favourite heroes in cinema. Additionally, there's a motherly aspect to this where she cares for Newt, a little girl that they found in a deserted alien-ridden colony. And of course, there's tons of great action, that is capitalized by special effects that are ahead of its time. "We're on the express elevator to hell, going down!"

3. Blade Runner (1982)
"Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave."
Blade Runner is really the movie that defined science fiction for me. I absolutely adore this movie because it's such a deep movie. It doesn't use science fiction and the future as a back drop for cool action, but instead for philosophical themes. Some see it as an action film, but it's more of a sci-fi drama since there's not much action in the movie in comparison to what else there is. Blade Runner tells the story of a future where there are organic androids known as Replicants, of which are almost indistinguishable from humans. They're illegal on Earth and are, instead, used for dangerous tasks on off-world colonies. However, a couple of them have found their way to Earth, so Deckard (played amazingly by the legend Harrison Ford) is sent out to dispose of them, while questioning his own morals. This film is extremely interesting to watch and it's one of those futuristic movies that can make you think about the present. It's my favourite Ridley Scott movie (which is really saying something because he's responsible for Alien, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Prometheus, Kingdom of Heaven, and American Gangster) and the direction is absolutely astounding. The set design and production of this movie are off the charts and the visual effects are way ahead of its time. If you ever see this movie, I recommend The Final Cut version; that version is structured the best, omits the cheesy narration of the theatrical version, capitalizes on some action scenes and important story parts, as well as adds some really significant scenes that add to the themes and questions of the movie such as the unicorn (which you'll still be wondering what it is even after the movie). It's one of those movies that's entertaining and incredibly crafted, but still leaves you wondering so many things. That's what a movie should really do.

2. Indiana Jones Trilogy (1981-1989)
"We do not follow maps to buried treasure. And X never, ever marks the spot." 

The theme song of Indiana Jones is always stuck in my head, but that's never a problem because I love it. Whereas Die Hard is the quintessential action movie, the Indiana Jones movies are the quintessential adventure movies. Each film in this trilogy can be watched and enjoyed by anyone in the family. They're witty, adventurous, intriguing, and filled with great action and humour. Essentially each movie can be watched without any real knowledge of any of the other movies. Personally, my favourite is the third film, The Last Crusade because that was the one I watched the most as a kid and it's got great banter between between Indy and his father, as well as my favourite relic adventure. In the first movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark (which is hailed by some as one of the greatest movies of all time), Indy is searching for the Ark of the Covenant. In Temple of Doom, he searches for three sacred stones in India. In Last Crusade, he and his father search for the holy grail before the Nazis can get their hands on it. I personally don't really like the fourth movie, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but that wouldn't even count here since that didn't come out in the '80s. However, each movie of the trilogy is amazing and entertaining. They're truly timeless films.

1. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
"Try not! Do or do not. There is no try." 
I'm a huge Star Wars fan, but Empire Strikes Back is not only my favourite Star Wars movie, but one of my favourite movies of all time. This is the movie where the universe of Star Wars really expands, as well as the characters (speaking of characters, this is the third Harrison Ford movie in a row). It's sort of the Dark Knight of the Original Star Wars Trilogy. It's sort of darker in the tone of the film and this is the one where Darth Vader actually becomes a relentless villain. The opening crawl of the movie even specifies that. And we learn how damaged Darth Vader really is in this movie. Just as well, some of Han Solo's best moments are in this movie, including one of my favourite moments of any movie. His banter with Leia and his character development in this movie is just as great as it was in the original. But in Empire, Han, Leia, & the gang split up from Luke. While they're trying to elude the empire, Luke is over in the Degobah System training with Yoda. Yoda's scenes alone (especially his monologue about the force) can make this the best and my favourite Star Wars movie. But there's also the central conflict in Luke in which he has to choose to save his friends or continue to train in becoming a Jedi. This is really the most personal and emotional of the entire saga. It holds great moral ambiguity and really makes Star Wars more than just an awesome sci-fi movie. And on top of that, we finally see an actually lightsaber duel! And it's not nicely choreographed like the prequels; no, Luke is just wailing at Vader with his saber and you can feel how uncontrolled he is. Empire Strikes Back offers the greatest height of emotion, morals, and (for me) entertainment, that the whole series has to offer; along with showcasing sci-fi elements ahead of its time, great witty dialogue, an awesome story, and one of the greatest and most important plot twists in the history of cinema.