EQUILIBRIUM
I stumbled across EQUILIBRIUM while killing time at the Century City Mall in LA with a girlfriend. We looked at the marquee and there were only two movies starting within our time frame. Naturally, we chose the Christian Bale flick (being the die-hard "Newsies" freaks that we are), even though we had never heard of it.
When the movie was over we felt like we had just discovered gold! Where the hell had this movie been!? Why was there no press about it? No billboards or commercials? It was, like, the best friggin' movie EVER! Well the story (rumor) goes something like this...
Mirimax produced the movie, directed by Kurt Wimmer. The studio too so long to release it that their contract of ownership was running out and soon they'd have to hand the film over to Wimmer who would then be free to shop it around to other studios who could release it. Instead of giving Wimmer a chance to have a box-office smash, Mirimax decided they'd rather make a little bit of money back on production and they dumped the film into theatres with no press or push.
Sucks, right? Happens all the time.
Anyway, Equilibrium stars Bale, Taye Diggs, Emily Watson, Angus McFayden and Sean Bean. It's better than (though similar to) The Matrix, has some of the coolest GunKata you've ever seen invented for screen, and plays off Bradburian and Orwellian themes. I'm not going to tell you what (who) those are because, if you're old enough, you know, and if you're too young, you should do some research, find out, and impress your teachers.
Next up... UNLEASHED (known in Europe as DANNY THE DOG)
Jet Li is Danny the Dog, an orphan taken in by a bad guy (Bob Hoskins) who literally raises him like an attack dog... he lives in a cage and everything. Enter Morgan Freeman, the blind piano tuner who starts to introduce Danny to to the power of love and friendship. It's the most bizarre and unlikely story, with a combination of the classical music world and the seedy, violent London underground mafia. You've never seen anything like it!
xo BJG
I loved this film :) It was called 'Unleashed' over here in England (we like to pretend we're not part of Europe ;)) Gonna go rent 'Equilibrium' now too! Xx
ReplyDeleteEquilibrium is one of my all-time favorites! Christian Bale is such a hottie and the storyline is crazy...you can't stop watching! I haven't seen Unleashed, so I'll have to check that out! :)
ReplyDeleteI remember you mentioning Equilibrium in the past and I actually made a music video for a class project a couple of years ago that was based on themes from the movie as well as 1984. I definitely agree that it's a good movie - great recommendation :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen or heard of Unleashed before but I'll definitely keep and eye out for it. The combination of classical music and the mafia that you've mentioned brought to mind one of my favourite films, 'The Beat My Heart Skipped', by Jacques Audiard with Romain Duris.
It's a french film (it's actually a remake of a 1970s indie film called Fingers which starred Harvey Keitel) about a young man who is torn between a life of crime and his dream of becoming a concert pianist. It's such a good film and I highly recommend it.
Thanks for the movie recommendations Joy, I always love checking out your blog and reading new entries and this one did not disappoint!
I've never heard of either of these films, but Equilibrium sounds good! I might go out and buy it! Thanks for the recommendations!
ReplyDelete- Becca x
P.S. Loved you in your superhero costume - GO MASTERMIND! :)
oh Joy! definitely not what I would have expected lol You are so random and unpredictible! I love it! I'll definitely check them out. I was actually looking for some movie recommendations. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThose are both excellent choices!
ReplyDeleteEquilibrium is one of my favorite movies, reminds me a bit of Huxley's 'Brave New World' (the book, not the bad adaptations!). I think it was the scene when he first discovers the puppy that really got to me!
To counter your recommendation, I have one of my own. Now it's not action packed or thrilling; but 'Sliding Doors' with Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah is one of my favorites. Basically how whatever path we choose in life, everything works out in the end. Enjoy!
I watched Equilibrium in my Media studies class and I had to do an exam on it. I got a B+. I bet you would love that exam.
ReplyDeleteEquilibrium is an amazing movie. My dad introduced this amazing flick to me. He has the best taste in movies. It makes me sad because hardly anyone knows about this movie and it's such an amazing film. It's crazy how you feel at the end of this movie. It's like WOW!! Your speechless yet you have all these thoughts going around in your head that the movie provoked.
ReplyDeleteThe movie has everything action, love, some of my favorite actors (William Fichtner, Christian Bale, Sean Bean) and even one of my favorite poems.
"Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."
I've never watched Unleashed but I will definitely be checking it out. I love that you did these mini-reviews/recommendations. I'd love to see more of them from you.
Oh my goodness, you mentioned Newsies....BEST MOVIE EVER! I'm definitely going to have to check these out!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!You totally made my Saturday!!!I'm definitely watching both of those movies!!!Actually i already downloaded Danny the Dog!!!Bet its awesome!!!Will probably watch Equilibrium tomorrow!!!Good thing you and your friend stumbled across it!!!Can't believe i'd never heard of those movies untill i read your blog...They should def be more popular...Judging from what you said they're really good...Glad you watched them and that you decided to share them with us...xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove love LOVE Equilibrium! It has one of the best gun shooting scenes in film-making history, cinematography wise.
ReplyDelete:)
NEWSIES!!! There are rumors that it is coming to broadway :)
ReplyDeleteOooh! They sound good! Will have to try and get a hold of them, I love movies so much, thanks for the recommendation ^_^
ReplyDeleteI recommend "The Prestige" to anyone that hasn't already watched it. Christopher Nolan is the director and Christian Bale is in a lead role, it spells cinematic gold! Hope you have good weekend Joy xxx
I love theese movies!! :D
ReplyDelete"unleashed" is a way better film title than "danny the dog" we must admit :D
ReplyDeletei LOVE equilibrium!
ReplyDeletexoxo from rome
K.
http://kcomekarolina.blogspot.com/
I've actually never seen this movie yet. I might actually see it now :)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Jaclyn Rubly
www.celebritybabyfashion.com
Absolutely love that you called yourself a "Newsies" freak. Me too! Go Mastermind!
ReplyDeleteMy sisters and I are Newsies freaks as well. I saw this today and totally geeked out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/newsies-musical-to-paper-mill-playhouse_n_823585.html
ReplyDeleteKnown in Brazil as "Cão de Briga" or dog fight
ReplyDeleteBoth of those are FANTASTIC! I also watched Equilibrium because I'm a Newsies freak (incidentally, Newsies has just become available as a live show, and the director of the musical theater group that I perform with is thinking of doing it next season. I about died when I heard!).
ReplyDeleteAnd Unleashed proved to me that Jet Li was a wonderful actor, on top of being a bad ass action hero. So kudos to that one!
helloo there! :) thanks for the recommendations will def. check it out unfortunately havent heard of any of them! :) :) cheers! :)
ReplyDeleteI love Equilibrium, amazing film (and gorgeous Bale!) I don't know the second film.
ReplyDeleteGreatings from Italy :)
Unleashed was great!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of the second title "Danny the dog" though...
Thought I´m living in Europe so far ;D
I´m from Germany and just about to start discover you, your songs and so on...
Great work so far, thx for sharing some of your thoughts :)
Greetz, Aly
Great suggestions! Nice written!
ReplyDeleteLove your Blog!
All best!
xo Emma
I've never seen either of these, but I will try out anything with Christian Bale. I am a diehard 'Newsies' fan myself!
ReplyDeleteI watched Equilibrium in my English class at (high) school the other day after we finished this book called "The Giver."
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of it too before we watched it but i absolutely loved it too!:)