Movie Notes: Saving Private Ryan

January 22nd, 2011

Saving Private Ryan

Synopsis

After the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, a small battalion under the command of Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) is sent on a strange mission to retrieve Private Ryan (Matt Damon), whose brothers were killed in action.

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Movie Notes: Ocean’s Thirteen

July 21st, 2008

Ocean's Thirteen

Synopsis

Reuben (Elliot Gould) is double-crossed by casino mogul Willy Banks (Al Pacino), leading Danny Ocean (George Clooney) to round up the usual suspects for a hugely audacious heist motivated by revenge.

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Movie Notes: The Departed

January 2nd, 2008

The Departed

In this crime drama (based on Hong Kong movie Internal Affairs) Boston cop Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) wants to take out Irish mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a former cop who has been taken under Costello’s wing. But both Billy and Colin are moles working for the other side, and a solid thriller emerges as pieces are bumped off the chess board at an increasing pace.

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Movie Notes: Syriana

August 5th, 2007

Syriana

Syriana is a dense Mideast oil and politics dramatization, containing several plot lines that intersect in few yet pivotal ways. The total picture is both mesmerizing and confusing — which I think is part of the point. The reality of the Mideast is a confusing mix of politics, culture, corporate interests, and human fallibility.

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