Nic Cage Movie Review Edition

It's been a while since we reviewed a movie here at ETC, and one of our readers requested we take a look at Avatar. So who am I to deny the readers what they want? And since it's been a while I will review the last 3 movies that I've seen as well as take a look at what's coming out soon.

Avatar- Yes I'm a little late in reviewing this movie, but Christopher asked, so Christopher gets. It is now the highest grossing movie of all time, both domestically and world-wide. What is crazy is that a few of my friends are among the estimated 214 people not to have seen it yet. So therefore I will not go too much into the movie's details in case they decide to see it.

Calling Avatar just a movie is like calling a Choco-Taco just a frozen treat...it simply doesn't do it justice. Avatar isn't the best story and it isn't the best acted movie of all time. But as a movie experience, it is one of the most amazing thing's I've ever seen. In fact it was the first movie I've seen in IMAX 3D and it totally changed my understanding of what a movie can accomplish. James Cameron created an entire world and his attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the movie; flowers, languages, animals and landscapes. I decided to see this movie in IMAX 3D over all others that have come out because Cameron used 3D to enhance the movie, not as a ploy to make weapons jump out toward the audience. Instead it actually made you feel like you were in the world of Pandora. You've got to give Cameron credit, the guy just makes huge, ridiculously sucessful movies. And for an encore I have a great idea. I don't think an Avatar sequel is the right answer. It's a great movie and a singular story that should stand alone. Instead I think he should make Aquaman. I mean who wouldn't see that? There's a built in curiosity based on his appearances on Entourage and from the few short images of it on the show it looked like it would be amazing. I might even go so far as to cast Vinny Chase as well.

As an all around movie, Avatar is like nothing else. It will be interesting to see how it does at the Oscar's but I will highly recommend it. (4 Cages out of 4)

The Book of Eli- This movie tests the theory that Denzel Washington is such a bad ass that he can carry a mediocre movie. Set in a post-apacolyptic era, Denzel plays a wanderer who is in possession of a powerful book. As he travels to the West Coast he comes across a warlord (played to perfection by Gary Oldman) who is in search of the book, something he believes to be a great weapon. Without giving away the plot, there are some very good twists and surprises that you don't at all expect and they make the movie an interesting story as opposed to a simple tale of survival. Highlighted by a few intense fight sequences, the movie makes the audience use their imagination as to what the book truly is. It's part Man on Fire and part I Am Legend just not as good as either. Decent movie, and yes Denzel is a bad ass but wait for the Blu-ray. (2 Cages out of 4)

Up In The Air- I really enjoy when an actor returns to what made them great. There are some roles that only a particular actor could play, and if played by anyone else would make it a totally different and probably less enjoyable movie. For instance, Vince Vaughn became a unique talent in Swingers and returned to greatness in Old School and Wedding Crashers. Tom Cruise played the cocky but flawed character in movies like Top Gun, Cocktail and A Few Good Men and didn't return to form until Jerry Maguire.

Well this movie gives us George Clooney in a role that only he could play and it gives us Clooney doing what he does best. He plays Ryan Bingham, a slick, confident ladies man who is a "corporate downsizer" (much like the Bob's in Office Space). He is on the road for the majority of the year, and he wouldn't have it any other way. That is until a fresh-out-of-college employee attempts to change the downsizing industry to a computer based industry instead of a face-to-face industry. Clooney must take the new employee, played by the pride of Portland Maine Anna Kedrick (sorry Hews. If you get nominated for an Oscar or defeat me in Madden I'll move you to the top of the list. You're still my favorite Portland resident though) on the road to learn the ropes.

This movie sucessfully depicts how the recession is affecting people and it is rare for a movie to capture an era while that era is still going on. It's written and directed by Jason Reitman, who's last two movies were the underrated Thank You For Smoking and Juno and is becoming a very unique and talented director. I must warn you though, it is depressing, but there are very funny parts( like the small role played by Danny McBride aka Kenny Powers) and it tells a great story through a character that only Clooney could pull off. (3 and 1/2 Cages out of 4)

Shutter Island- I am very intruiged by this movie. Martin Scorsese is behind this one, and the guy's made some of the greatest movies of all time in Goodfellas, Departed, Raging Bull, Casino and Taxi Driver to name a few. The tandem of Leo and Scorsese is an umatched tandem right now hitting its peak much the same way Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson did with the Bulls. I am very confident that this will be an entertaining movie with a style only Scorsese can achieve. Having said that, it looks like it will be a little scary/messed up with crazy people and insane asylums. For those that don't know, I don't get along well with scary movies. I once walked out of a group viewing of The Ring less than 5 minutes into the movie to go watch I'm With Busey (in retrospect it was an amazing decision as I may have been one of 10 people to ever see the show). Despite it coming out next week, and seeing many previews for it, I still don't really know what the movie is about. I know there's a disappearance of a prisoner and that Leo is called in to investigate. Beyond that I have no idea. It might be like The Shining it might be like Shawshank or it might be like Silence of the Lambs. I have no clue. Chances are it will be like nothing we have seen before and incredibly terrifying/entertaining which is why I'm giving it 3 Cages. But I'm going to wait until someone I know see's it and lets me know if I can see it in the theaters or wait until the Blu-ray comes out to watch it with the lights on with a blunt weapon nearby. (3 Expecting Cages out of 4)

The Wolfman- Benicio del Toro stars as the manbeast along with Anthony Hopkins. While I am not much of a fan of either of them, aside from del Toro's captivating performance in The Usual Suspects, they are very good actors. It also stars Emily Blunt who I am a huge fan of, based on her acting ability as well as her aesthical appeal. The visual effects look to be outstanding but for some reason I just have no desire to see this. Let me guess, there's a werewolf terrifying a town, Benicio tries to hunt it but gets bit, then becomes a werewolf and campaigns for werewolf rights by organizing non-violent protests and marching on Capital Hill. I don't think that is accurate but what a dud of a movie that would be. I hope I am wrong on this, but I don't think it's going to be worth my time. (1 Expecting Cage out of 4)