Playing for Keeps

"This holiday season, what do you really want?"

Written by Robbie Fox and Directed by Gabriele Muccino, this film wasn't anything out of the extraordinary. The same story/plot has been done before; first in 1986 and then again in 2009 and well Hollywood hasn't been too creative lately, so they try again to milk it for what it's worth again in 2012. They figure with some of today's hottest stars, like Scottish heartthrob Gerard Butler, Bostonian Uma Thurman (memorable from Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill movies), Texan Dennis Quaid, Welsh-working-beauty Catherine Zeta-Jones, innocent-eyed Judy Greer, and 'Seventh Heaven' Jessica Biel they'd be able to rejuvenate the magic.

Simple story, and great delivery by actors, the film was sweet to watch but probably not the most awe-inspiring. It speaks to our audience about forgiveness, second chances and making the right choices for your future. A run-time of 105 minutes and a budget of $35 million USD, it only grossed $13 million USD back at the box-office.

There's temptation around every corner, but there's a time one has to grow up and decide what they really want from life. Would you choose to make the right decision or keep playing till you lose everything?

Pulp Fiction

It's nice to take a trip down memory lane, especially when Tarantino is involved. In 1994, both Quentin  and Robert Avary brought us short fictional stories of crime, drama and thrilling moments by a most appealing cast, John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Christopher Walken, Bruce Willis, Rosanna Arquette, Phil LaMarr, Ving Rhames and many many others. Laced with the usual violence, heavy drug-use, obscene language and graphic sexual situations; this wildly provocative film won an Oscar that year and another 59 wins and 46 nominations.

With a run-time of 154 minutes, you would think that the audience would lose interest and fast, but this never happens in Tarantino films, because even though the destructiveness may get to you, the dialogue always saves because it is filled of wit, intensity and wisdom. The shots are always unusual, and viewers are vehemently reminded of the passion that went into making these movies.

Tarantino keeps the heart pumping and you on the edge of your seats, he knows what people want and if you're into action, you'll never be dissatisfied. In Los Angeles, there are people who make movies, and then there are people who tell stories so expertly that hit-men, boxers, bandits and gangsters all have lives that intertwine believably.