Taken (2008)

Taken is probably the best spy thriller I've ever seen. I was so impressed with it that I'm immediately writing a post after I watched it. I'm really overwhelmed with what I want to talk about, so I'll just give a quick synopsis first. Liam Neeson plays Bryan Mills. He's a retired CIA operative, but more importantly he's a father. Being a spy has taken a toll on Bryan's family life. Years of being only a ghost to his family has led his wife(Famke Jannsen) to divorce him and remarry. He realizes his ex-wife has moved on, and he now only truly cares about his daughter Kim(Maggie Grace). He has given up the dangerous life of being a spook, and moved to LA to be close to his daughter. He may keep close contact with his old CIA buddies, but his first priority is his daughter. It is understandable then when he is overprotective and skeptical when Kim wants to go France for the summer with her friend. While his knowledge of the true nature of the world initially keeps him from letting her go, his need for her approval eventually wins out.

Bryan almost immediately regrets his decision. While talking with his daughter on the phone, Bryan hears Kim and her friend get kidnapped by human sex trafficers. This sets his off quest to get back his daughter through any means necessary. He systematically follows each clue to the next criminal in the chain, all while avoiding the French government who want nothing more than for him to stop causing trouble in their country. While the plot maybe not have any twists or turns, the whole concept is gripping and personal enough to keep things interesting.

While the marketing for the US release of this movie is still months off, I predict now that it will not do the movie justice. It has just as intense, gripping, and realistic as the Bourne films. The fighting scenes are just as intense. The driving is just as fast paced. If you were just to see out-of-context clips of the action scenes, it'd be easy to think this was a fourth Bourne movie. Anyone looking for that same kind of action will not be disappointed here. This is no surprise really, coming from the director of District 13(which will definitely warrant a post in the future). Bryan quickly, efficiently, and brutally takes out all his foes. That is not to say that all he does is go around punching people and breaking their arms. This movie has all the awesome social engineering you'd expect a real spy would do. It actually reminded me of some of the things Michael Westen(Jeffrey Donovan) does in Burn Notice. His interactions not only with his allies, but also with his enemies, are completely convincing.

While I may have compared Bryan to Jason Bourne, he is anything but. In my opinion, Bourne was portrayed as this super-agent, and not really as human. Sure you sympathized with his memory loss, but you really just wanted to see him beat the shit out of people. In Taken, you actually believe Bryan is a real person. You really understand he is a father willing to do anything to find his daughter. It's a more real experience, and I believe it's a more interesting plot. Not only do you get to see that awesome violence, you get amazing context. And what awesome violence it is. While Jason Bourne or Michael Westen may have qualms about killing, there is no hesitation here. Bryan leaves a trail of bodies and mayhem that actually left me speechless in some parts. As Brian gets ever closer to finding his daughter, you are glad that he is doing such horrible things to such horrible people.

If you're looking for something to watch since the Bourne franchise is over, watch Taken. If you didn't like the Bourne franchise for being mindless action, watch Taken. If you want to see Liam Neeson in perhaps the best performance of his life, watch Taken. Watch Taken.

Awesome 3D photo album navagation

I'm going to try to not go wild with random videos, unlike some blogs I know *cough*. So when I post something you can be sure it either really wowed me or interested me. Anyway, check this out:

I'm not even that much of a photo person, and this is like the coolest thing ever. Every day the Internet tells me about the creation of some new tech that seems like we should be years away from achieving.

Strange Days (1995)

Strange Days is the most underrated movie of all time... well maybe not, but it's certainly up there. The fact that it's written by James Cameron(yeah, that one) and directed by Kathryn Bigelow should be enough to make you run out and break into a video store to watch it ASAP. Well, maybe the director of Point Break isn't a big selling point to some people, but this is actually my favorite movie of hers. Given that I've only seen two of her movies, that's not too hard of a comparison(I'm told Near Dark is good too, in a Point Break sort of way). Anyway, my point is that this movie has credentials and it shows.

Right from the beginning we're treated to some amazing cinematography. An intense first-person robbery taking place over one long shot. A special camera was invented to provide an accurate first-person perspective for the many shots throughout the film. Not only do these shots give the film a unique storytelling style, they introduce us to one of the main plot points. What if we could digitize and record every sense in the body, and play it back whenever we wish? In this twisted version of the last few days of the millennium, not only is this possible, it's become the new drug. Experiences ranging from violent crimes to passionate encounters are sold on the black market to anyone with the cash. Here is where our main character Lenny Nero(Ralph Fiennes) comes in. He's the man who knows everyone, and can get everything. Once a cop, he now slides through the endless night-clubs scattered through a police-state LA, selling "clips" while trying to be everyone's friend. Things were not always this seedy for poor Lenny, but now he just lives in the past. Obsessed over his ex-girlfriend Faith(Juliette Lewis), he too has become a junkie on the very drug he peddles.

Things really start to go sideways when one of Lenny's old friends is murdered, but not before leaving a note warning him that Faith could be next. However Faith has grown apart from Lenny, and she only cares about her singing career and refuses to even listen to him. So Lenny enlists the help of his old partner and friend Max(Tom Sizemore) to watch over Faith and try to help find the killer before it's too late. Along the way Lenny drags Lornette 'Mace' Mason(Angela Bassett) into the situation. While their friendship is strained, Mace continues to help Lenny for her own reasons. Over two nights they try to solve the puzzle, but as the pieces start to fall into place, the picture turns out to be bigger than anyone thought.

One of the best parts of the film is the amazing atmosphere. LA never looked so scummy and on the brink of anarchy. Dark clubs filled with industrial music mix with street riots and military checkpoints. Every character is wearing appropriate clothing to match. Whether it's Lenny is his fake brand name suits, or Faith in a chainmail top, they all blend seamlessly with their surroundings. All of this atmosphere serves to coat a plot rich in a wide range of themes. Too much technology, racial tension, abuse of power, and addiction are just a few of the ideas explored. James Cameron knows how to write a movie, and this is no exception.

All in all, Strange Days has everything. Deep characters involved in an intense, interesting, and layered story which is set in an amazing location and told using groundbreaking techniques. I don't know what else I can say.

First!

Since everyone else was doing it, and I probably have the most free time of everyone, BLOG! My proposed topic: movies you most likely haven't seen, but should. Some will be more obscure than others, but all are worth at least one watch. I'm sure I'll throw in random posts pertaining to whatever the hell I feel like, whenever I please. So.... I should actually clean my apartment some more, but when I'm done, I'll think of the first movie.