RAILS & TIES (2007)

"Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden give soaring performances in Rail & Ties, (first time) director Alison Eastwood's (daughter of Clint) moving tale of people in crisis and emotions at the brink. Bacon plays Tom Stark, a train engineer unable to face his wife's (Harden) illness. Then a terrifying railway collision leaves a little boy orphaned. Tom takes the boy into his home and - step by step, strength by strength - learns how to bond with the wife he adores by opening his heart to a boy who needs the security of a devoted family."

That is what it says on the back of the DVD box-cover. I have nothing to add except for this: I rate it 5 out of 5! 

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOQOUq-gp6k

 

Kevin Bacon, Miles Heizer and Amy Gay Harden

 

THE RIVER WILD (1994)

This movie is quite a vessel (pun intended) for the incomparable Meryl Streep as it gives her the opportunity to showcase her wide range of acting abilities. We see her as loving mother, spurned wife, fervent adventurer and most of all fierce protector of her nearest and dearest.

Gail Hartman (Streep) is a former white-river rafting guide. For his tenth birthday she decides to take her son, Roarke (played by the amazingly talented Joseph Mazzello) on a river rafting trip. At the last moment they are joined by her almost estranged husband, Tom (David Strathairn) in a last ditch effort to save their shaky marriage. Along the way on the river they meet up with two strangers who at first look just like any of the other river rafting explorers. But it soon turns out their alliance with the Hartmans has ulterior motives. And so starts a wild ride (again, pun intended) for all of them.

Besides the excellent acting by an outstanding cast and breathtakingly beautiful scenery, the action sequences through the different rapids along the river are nothing short of spectacular. And through it all, director Curtis Hanson manages to keep a pretty tight suspense line going. I always thought that Kevin Bacon makes an excellent baddy but to see the usually hilariously lovable John C Reilly in such a roll is a real hoot.

As far as thrillers are concerned, this one is right up there with some of the best; highly recommended for all adrenaline junkies. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWew8lWYhtI

The cast

 

THE NUMBER 23 (2007)

Jim Carrey is not usually associated with psychological thrillers but in this movie he proves that he is much more than just a comedic actor.

After reading a novel about the number 23, Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey) becomes totally obsessed with it. So much so that he slowly spirals into madness and insanity. Is it only his imagination or is there more to it?

This is one of those flicks where you have to watch it more than once to make any sense of it. At first it seems very incoherent and confusing. But second time round you are sure to catch a lot of what when past you first time around. Of cause it also helps if you can get hold of the DVD containing Special Features explaining the whole concept of the script (which is what I did).

Nevertheless, once you get behind the gist of the plot it is actually very good. The acting, with Jim Carrey, Victoria Madsen and Logan Lerman, among others, in the cast is first rate. The special effects are also typical of Joel Schumacher's directing style: subtle but at the same time creating a mood that is so in your face it is scary. I had no hesitation rating this movie 3 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hI1fj7lCHA

 Logan Lerman, Victoria Madsen, Jim Carrey and Danny Huston

DESPICABLE ME (2010)

DESPICABLE ME 2 (2013)

To all my readers: may all have a happy and prosperous 2016.

Let's kick-off this new year with yet another animated favorite...

Gru is a not so successful super villain that adopts three orphaned girls as part of his evil plan to steal the moon. But he does not take into account the effect the girls might have on his villainous disposition. In the sequel our scoundrel, who in the meantime has turned into a legitimate businessman and loving dad, is asked by a secret government organization to help with catching a mysterious new villain threatening world chaos. This time Gru is partnered with secret agent, Lucy, and it soon becomes clear that in the process the girls may get a new mom too.

Sure it has a sweet story with a "happily ever after" ending and it is not anything we haven't seen a million times before, but what makes these two movies so special is the voice-over artists. They, and especially Steve Carell (the voice of Gru) bring the characters alive in a totally unique way. And then, of cause, there are the adorable minions...

No wonder these movies were such blockbusters as it can be thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike. Therefor I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer links: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G3pPSvPkek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXMWcUhKMY

Steve Carell, the voice behind...                       ...Gru