What Just Happened? (2008)

Directed by Barry Levinson (Diner, Rain Man, Sleepers)

Starring Robert DeNiro, Robin Wright Penn, Sean Penn,  John Turturro,  Kristen Stewart, Bruce Willis

Synopsis: ” Two weeks in the life of a fading Hollywood producer who’s having a rough time trying to get his new picture made.”

Based on the memoir of Art Linson, an actual Hollywood producer, the film gives a humorous/satirical account of the inner workings of Hollywood, which I found interesting.  Though the names have been changed, all of the characters apparently represent real-life people. For example, Bruce Willis plays a fictional version of himself as an overpaid actor who shows up a week before his film is supposed to shoot, over-weight and with a beard that he refuses to shave (apparently based on Alec Bladwin doing just that weeks before “The Edge” was set to shoot). The big surprise here for me is that DeNiro actually seems to be trying (which is refreshing). For me the movie was interesting to watch, but I’m the one how wants to get into the movie business.

7/10

Burn! (1969)

Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo

Starring Marlon Brando

Synopsis: “The professional mercenary Sir William Walker instigates a slave revolt on the Caribbean island of Queimada in order to help improve the British sugar trade. Years later he is sent again to deal with the same rebels that he built up because they have seized to much power that now threatens British sugar interests.”

A thought-provoking, epic film that examines the notions of state-funded revolutions, puppet dictators, imperialist powers, and colonized peoples. The weight of all of these themes may have been overbearing, but the powerful performance of Marlon Brando (which he considered his best work on film) really holds it together. The arc that Sir William Walker travels throughout the film is just fascinating.

8/10

Hard Target (1993)

Directed by John Woo

Starring JCVD, Arnold Vosloo (aka Habib Marwan from 24/ The Mummy), Yancy Butler, Lance Henrickson

Besides the fact that the story is essentially “Most Dangerous Game” set in New Orleans, all I have to say about the film is:

John Woo’s first film in America + Jean Claude Van Damme playing a Ragin Cajun =

Awesome/10