Tuesdays with Blake - Upcoming Movie Reviews

Every Tuesday, Blake Holl will present to you his reviews for upcoming movies with specific actors. Hope you all enjoy...


Tom Cruise, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Christian Bale… not your everyday cast. When I think of actors, I think of these guys: Depp, De Niro, Pacino, Smith, Willis, Damon. This is a great set of actors, but they don’t fit this discussion. This crew is where this discussion leads. Will their new movies be flops or masterpieces? Let’s see where their future leads.


Tom Cruise: the man is one word: crazy. Who cares, he’s an excellent actor. He’s pretty versatile as well. Not Johnny Depp versatile, but who is?

Most Recent: Mission Impossible III – cool movie, but how did he get the damn Rabbit’s foot though? Lions for Lambs was apparently a big bust. In Tropic Thunder, his character is hilarious.

Upcoming: Valkyrie.

IMDB Plot: Valkyrie – “Based on actual events, a plot to assassinate Hitler is unfurled during the height of WWII.” Basically, Tom Cruise is a general who is trying to use Hitler’s own secret army to assassinate him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPoZWP2738k

Thoughts: This movie looks awesome. Could be a lot of talking, but the plot is actually really intense. The fact that it’s based on true events is even better. Bryan Singer (director of X-Men, Superman Returns, and The Usual Suspects) should provide a real dark film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This will be close to defining suspense. Lions for Lambs looked very suspenseful, but I have a different feeling on this one. See in theaters? Yes… but make sure to bring your flash light cause this will be a dark one.


Edward Norton: an excellent actor who of late has not produced anything to live up to his breakout role in Fight Club and other fan favorites like American History X and Rounders.

Most Recent: Well, the Illusionist was okay. Painted Veil looked good, a bit boring though, and I've yet to see the new Hulk. But anything could have beaten the old one.

Upcoming: Pride and Glory, Motherless Brooklyn.

IMDB Plot: Pride and Glory – “A saga centered on a multi-generational family of New York City Police officers. The family's moral codes are tested when Ray Tierney (Edward Norton), investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law (Colin Farrell). For Ray, the truth is revelatory, a Pandora's Box that threatens to upend not only the Tierney legacy but the entire NYPD.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Qu80hRoh4

Thoughts: This WILL be a good movie, but it won’t be groundbreaking. Edward Norton will steal the screen, Colin Farrell should fit the part perfectly – the fuck up brother that tests Norton’s loyalty to family and his job. I love the situation they put Norton in, and will only prove to be extremely dramatic, making the audience question right and wrong.

IMDB Plot: Motherless Brooklyn – "Motherless Brooklyn" is about Lionel Essrog, a detective with Tourette's Syndrome. When his mentor is murdered, he must go and find the killer.

Thoughts: This needs a trailer. Don’t know how I’ll react to Norton having Tourette’s.


Brad Pitt: four letters: H-U-N-K. Yeah, I said it. I don’t see why people hate this guy. He’s easily my favorite actor, and he will definitely turn heads in his upcoming films.

Most Recent: Babel – heard good things, have not seen it though. Oceans Thirteen – really liked this movie, and I love casinos more. Then there’s The Assassination of Jesse James. He is Jesse freaking James. Nothing else needs to be said.

Upcoming: Burn After Reading, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

IMDB Plot: Burn After Reading – “A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.” Watch the trailer. Go, now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqVZ4b8Xv94

Thoughts: This movie could be the best of the year next to The Dark Knight. The cast is absolutely ridiculous, and you have the Coen brothers behind the scenes. This movie is clever humor at its best, and for some, it may be the funniest movie of the year. I promise if you go in wanting to laugh, you will die. Pitt and Clooney’s characters look so doofy. Not only are the Coen brothers directing this film, but they wrote this movie as well, which is simply ingenious. You have my word that Pitt will steal the screen. In theaters this Friday…lets go.

IMDB Plot: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – “Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en-qL3SYKLc

Thoughts: Honestly, this movie looks a bit weird. However, this movie could win awards. It is so off the wall and obscene, that I’ll guarantee it gets amazing reviews. This movie may not be for everyone. On the other hand, I’m so pumped to see it. Theaters – some not all, but go for it, take a gamble.


No more room this week ladies and gents. Next week, Jack Dawson takes on Bruce Wayne in a four-movie, head-to-head showdown. Until next time...