QUICK FIX Movies To Watch #76-80 are a bit geeky and pretty magical
Quick Fix Movies To Watch is a weekly column of mixed movie suggestions for both the avid film fan and the casual movie-goer. Dive in, swim around a little bit, and come up with a new movie or two you think is worth watching. They’re all great!
This week’s Quick Fix takes a look at Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Prestige, Lord of War, and Akira. Read more about why you should watch them as soon as you can after the jump!
QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #76: HOT FUZZ
Release: 2007 Rating: R Director: Edgar Wright
Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Timothy Dalton, Paddy Considine
The second film in the Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost loose Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, Hot Fuzz is as full of laughs and blood as Shaun of the Dead, and makes for one crazy ride as we follow a police man officer (yes, police man officer) who’s too efficient for his own good. He’s making the others look bad, as his superiors put it, so he’s transferred to the country where all is not as it seems. Throw in a simple-minded Nick Frost character who loves action movies, some strange townsfolk, and a lot of witty British humor and you’ve got a nice little action comedy. Highly recommended!
HIDDEN GEM: Seeing a somewhat creepy but still dashing Timothy Dalton run a supermarket is pretty enjoyable, and a few callback jokes from Shaun of the Dead pop up for those who are fans.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #77: SCOTT PILGRIM vs. the WORLD
Release: 2010 Rating: PG-13 Director: Edgar Wright
Stars: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Alison Pill, Kieran Culkin, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brandon Routh
Edgar Wright can do no wrong in my book. Every film he’s directed has been a mix of strong action and comedic gold, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is another in what I’m sure will be a long list of fantastic films Wright brings to the screen. Scott Pilgrim is a unique movie, and the quirky video-game infusions breathe life into what’s essentially an indie romance movie with rock music, sword fighting, and neon colors. It’s a whole lot of fun from start to finish, and from what I’ve heard fans of the comic will thoroughly enjoy seeing panels brought to life on screen.
HIDDEN GEM: Little things like the pee meter that drains as Scott relieves himself or how his enemies erupt into a shower of coins when defeated made for a movie experience I’d never quite had before. Very unique, and very cool.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #78: THE PRESTIGE
Release: 2006 Rating: PG-13 Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Piper Parabo, David Bowie, Andy Serkis
Before Christopher Nolan was wowing audiences with Batman or twisting their brains with Inception he tried his hand at a little magic with The Prestige. Strangely, the film went under-seen and is often forgotten when people think back to Nolan’s films. It’s an excellent drama, crafted in deception, trickery, and magical mystery, and features solid performances from Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, and Michael Caine. While I hate resorting to this, The Prestige is definitely a movie worth going into with a completely blank slate. The less you know the better, and the more you discover along the way the more fun you’ll have as secrets are revealed.
HIDDEN GEM: David Bowie is quite tame and pretty great as Tesla, as is Andy Serkis as his assistant. The secrets Tesla is keeping are fantastic food for thought.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #79: LORD OF WAR
Release: 2005 Rating: R Director: Andrew Niccol
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Ethan Hawke, Bridget Moynahan
Nicolas Cage, you crazy man, how is it every now and then you actually happen to make a decent movie? Lord of War is one of the few-and-far-between films that Mr. Cage has under his belt that’s thoughtful and entertaining. That said, there are definitely moments where Cage gets to unwind and let out his crazy, but for the most part he’s in control and ahead of the game in this one. Taking a look at the market surrounding illegal gun smuggling, the movie manages to balance the heavy reality that things like this are probably happening today with a few earned laughs and some heartfelt family drama filler.
HIDDEN GEM: There’s a scene where Jared Leto has locked himeself in a house with ridiculous amounts of cocaine, and his drug-fueled plan for his trip around Ukraine is hilarious in its ambition.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #80: AKIRA
Release: 1988 Rating: R Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Animation/anime at its finest, Akira is an R-rated sci-fi cerebreal future film that’s dark, funny, twisted, and pretty epic in scope. Set in a future Tokyo after nuclear desolation, the movie focuses on two friends who accidentally get mixed up in government research regarding telepathic powers and the likes. It’s hard to explain the intricacies of everything going on in Akira, but that’s usually the case with really good anime, right? If you’re a fan of animation, Japanese sci-fi, or epic future adventures Akira is right up your alley.
HIDDEN GEM: I’m pretty sure every Halloween someone, somewhere puts on a Kaneda biker jacket and tries to act the part. Kaneda and Tetsuo, the two friends at the center of the story, are excellent realizations of different paths taken. Great animated characters, and great characters in general.
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