I've missed you. I hope you've missed me too. Let's never fight again.
"RED 2" starts off with our favorite retired agent and his new, young girlfriend shopping at Costco trying to lay low. But I think we all know how that works out. They are yet again, dragged into something they don't particularly want to be involved with. And as always, they're joined by their lovable, insane friend, whom regardless of what character he's playing, I refer to as John Malkovich from "Being John Malkovich".
Unfortunately, this time sans pig.
"RED 2" is exactly what you'd expect from a sequel to it's predecessor. It's fun, it's action packed and it's got a lot of memorable moments. However, this one didn't come with the element of pleasant surprise that the first one did. At least for me. It's a great film with a lot of funny and quotable lines, but I feel it quite do the first one justice.
But what sequel really does do the first one justice. Besides "X-Men 2". And "The Dark Knight". And "Terminator 2". And "Star Wars: Episode IV". And I would say "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers", but I consider them to be one long-ass movie.
What I'm trying to say is, if you enjoyed the first one, you'll enjoy this one...
Here's John Malkovich with a bomb strapped to his chest.
It is no secret to my friends that Alfred Hitchcock is in my top 3 favorite people of all time. So I was especially excited for this movie when I first heard about it from my Friend Kevin Bridge. At least I think it was him.
So when I found out it was playing in Philly, which is a good 50 minute drive from my house, I didn't think twice before I made a day out of it with my friends. Funnily enough, it came out in the theatre 2 miles from my house 5 days later.
Either way, Hitchcock did not disappoint.
Anthony Hopkins, in a very convincing fat suit, portrays the infamous mastermind behind Rear Window, Rope, The Birds, Vertigo, North By Northwest, Dial M for Murder, Strangers on a Train, and of course Psycho. Hitchcock tells the behind-the-scenes story of the making of Psycho and the strain it put on his marriage to Alma Reville, played by Helen Mirren.
It delves deep into his psyche as he struggle with his obsession of not fading into irrelevance. As well as his jealousy towards his wife and her writing partner and his fantasy with his "Hitchcock Blondes".
Through all of this, he must independently finance and film his movie having 100% absolute creative control.
Some movies that I love, I can understand why someone else wouldn't like it. But not this. I don't normally say this about other peoples opinions, but on Rotten Tomatoes, this film has a 66%. The 34% that didn't like this movie need to be slapped in the face with a 2x4 with a nail in it. This movie, being nothing more than drama, had suspense that would make the Master of Suspense himself proud.
The acting, writing and directing (By the director of documentaries, no less) all prove to be in the top tier of 2012. With a perfect mixture of drama, suspense and comedy, Hitchcock proves to be one of the best movies of the year. Anyone who disagrees is just plain silly!
My Grade: A+
ATTENTION! I WILL BE RELEASING THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE MIKEY AWARDS JANUARY 10th COINCIDING WITH THE ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS! I WILL POST THE WINNER ON FEBRUARY 24 DURING THE OSCARS!
