Addicted Movie Review

Movie: Addicted
Release Date: October 2014
Starring: Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, William Levy

Disclaimer: This review is a SPOILER ALERT

I am just going to jump straight to the point. This movie begs the question: Is she really a sex addict?At a first glance I didn't think she was addicted to sex. (See my review of Shame: A Story of a Sex Addict). I actually thought, due to her promiscuity inexperience, she wanted to have SEVERAL SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS WITH SEVERAL MEN outside of her marriage, being that her husband was her “first and only". Let’s say she is finally testing the water...s. Honestly, I don’t think you are truly addicted to sex if you’re with only two men outside of your marriage. Take it up a notch, maybe five.

The movie stars Sharon Leal as Zoe Reynard. Owner of an on-the-rise marketing company, which soon fails because of her addiction. Her once happy life; faithful husband, two kids, beautiful home and sanity, is taken away due to this sickness.

During the film she falls for, well become obsessed with renowned artist, Quinton Canosa (played by William Levy). The two met at a gallery, where they openly flirt and soon become heavily involved. Zoe starts sneaking around on her husband, and things with Quinton quickly become too complicated for her to handle. *throws hands in the air in frustration*

Zoe is also into S&M and is quickly smitten with a new lover.

The performers are pretty game considering the ridiculous material. The characters aren't recognizable human beings, they are overwrought emotional states walking through immaculate settings wearing fabulous clothing (ready to be torn off at a moment's notice). Emayatzy Corinealdi plays Zoe's assistant, a straight-talking go-getter, frustrated with her distracted boss, and she brings a practical energy to the hothouse mood of the film that is welcome and often funny. She feels like a real person- SO

I was more annoyed than impressed with this picture, reason being it showed the truth about women. They are silly, they consistently fall deeply, suddenly and blindly into the booby traps set by men.

I gave it a 6/10.

Shame Movie Review

Movie: Shame

Release Date: November 2011

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale

When since sex was something to be ashamed of? Never! On the flipside, a sex addict’s life can be dreadful, overbearing and shameful. Filled with rage, anger and lust, Shame takes you to a dark place where sex entangles Brandon (Michael Fassbender) in its sticky web. This is a portrait of a man, who thinks he can fill the emptiness inside by having physical sexual encounters void of any romance.

Michael Fassbender is perfect. He takes on the role of a sex addict who fears companionship and lacks emotions. He is often alone, and when he is surrounded by company, he is normally in them. We are introduced to little characters in this film. However, he is visited by a woman we later assume to be his estranged sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan). Tension is present, as he sees Sissy as a burden in his home. Furthermore is broken herself.

The film suggests no help for Brandon, although toward the end, he moves somewhat in the direction of being able to care for another human being. For him, that involves being able to care for himself, despite the truth that he feels unworthy to be known. This is a great act of film-making and acting-RE

Shame was far from shameful receiving an 8.5/10.

Gone Girl Movie Review

Movie: Gone Girl

Release Date: October 2014

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris

I think we've found the movie of the year. I saw what the producers did, premiered the movie just in time to be nominated for The Academy Awards: Best Picture of the Year. The story wraps us into somewhat of a mysterious maze, causing us to want so much more than what we expected.

The “girl” in Gone Girl is Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike), East Coast socialite and daughter to two successful authors, who falls head-over-heels in love with journalist Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck). The movie tells a story of the married couple and their fairy-tale life, but five years later it turns out that they’re involved in a loveless, hopeless marriage.

Amy goes missing… and Nick gradually goes from sympathetic husband to suspected killer in the eyes of his family, their nosy Missouri neighbors, and the hovering, headline-starved media –SO. Gone Girl never crosses the line and becomes too much a deconstruction. It's a plot-obsessed picture that's determined to stay one step ahead of the audience at all times, and cheats when it feels it has to.

At times I felt ‘up in the air’ and didn’t know what to expect. You know, there were a few silly turn of events. Let’s say it is a film that shifts emphasis and perspective so many times that you may feel as though you're watching five short movies strung together, each morphing into the next -MS

Every character was brilliantly placed. I especially enjoyed the performances of Kim Dickens and Patrick Fugit, both played homicide detectives. Neil Patrick Harris was a bit *draws back mouth corners* but nonetheless he delivered. Even though I’ve never been a fan of Ben Affleck (or his work), he’s exceptional as a blocked writer, estranged husband, and a maybe murderer. He effortlessly compiled all three complicated flaws into one big KAZAM! A wonderful kazam. By the way I first came across Rosamund Pike in the beautifully written “An Education” a film which I recommend to all females. (I should write a review on “An Education”)

It’s complicated singing the praises of Gone Girl without spoiling the whole thing for the moviegoer. This is undoubtedly the best movie I seen all year and is deserving of a 9/10

See my review of A Madea Christmas