Student Film Reviews

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1. Naomi Noury 09.03.11 / 9pm

   I have not seen this movie but it is on my netflix queue I saw the previews and became very interested by its high action packed commercials. I have not heard too much from it from my friends but this review is phenomenally done and gives me the impression that this movie will have me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what will happen next. Movies with unrealistic action such as this one is hard to pull off without coming on as cheesy. Some movies try this extra dimension stuff and its really hard to buy into it. But if it is done with the right taste, eye and actors I am sure it is stellar. Thank you for your exquisite review.
2. Gwyn Reyes 09.07.11 / 2pm

   Source Code was a phenomenal science fiction film by director Duncan Penn. I too agree with the two students above seeing that the this movie is definitely a mind twisting thriller. The thought of reliving an individuals life in danger is mind boggling. Penn does a great job at keeping his audience on their feet at all times continuously searching clues each time Colter Stevens transports back into time. Not to mention Jake Gyllenhaal, who does a magnificent job playing the role of character Colter Stevens. With that said, I enjoyed every bit of the movie myself. Overall, the film was not at any time boring and did not incorporate too much repetition. Instead, it takes you on a ride of reality and time.
3. Charles Doan 09.24.11 / 9am

   Without revealing too much of the film, I’d like to make it apparent that the character arch of Colter Stevens is a bit too simple and this is the most detrimental aspect to Jones’ Source Code. From the start, the audience is exposed to an environment in which our protagonist is a stranger to. But by the end of the film, the task that was delegated to Stevens as well as the emotional acceptance of this task are the only obstacles he has to overcome, making his character truly flat and ultimately uninteresting. With such a limited background and static foreground, it’s surprising to find Gyllenhaal muster such an arresting performance.
4. Olivia Spaulding 10.02.11 / 3pm

   I saw this movie in theaters without knowing much about it. Since I didn’t know what to expect, the film blew me away. The idea is very interesting and, though I haven’t seen it since the first time in theaters, I would really like to see it again and watch it knowing what it’s about. Your review described the film perfectly and I really enjoyed your comparison of “Groundhog Day meet Die Hard”. I also didn’t think I’d enjoy this film as much as I did and I agree that it deserves some sort of recognition.
5. Alexandria Roland 10.10.11 / 9am

   I recently saw Source Code and was skeptical whether it would be any good. I figured it was just another action movie and would be okay, but not necessarily anything special. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had some twists and turns and really was well done. I thought the acting was well done and the movie was captivating. It was emotional and the story itself was intriguing. I enjoyed the action and really was hooked and invested in the story. I find the idea of Source Code interesting and peculiar, but it really got me thinking what if. I really did enjoy it and would like to see it again, with a new outlook, now that I know what to expect from this film.
6. Danielle Felts 10.10.11 / 1pm

   I really enjoyed reading your review of Source Code, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. I’m not usually a fan of action flicks, but like you, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The cast did a great job, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Finding out a little bit more about the bombing each time he was thrown back into the situation on the train kept me intrigued. I was surprised the film makers were able to keep repeating the same situation without it being boring and only gave me a slight feeling of déjà vu. The repetition could have ruined the movie, but the filmmakers found a way to make each scene feel fresh and new.
7. Samantha Marmion 10.12.11 / 2pm

   I have recently watched Sourse Code actually. I did not think I would like this movie, but that turned out to be false. I loved the plot of this film and the idea behind it. The director did such a great job putting the scenes together enough to allow the audience to figure out some of it for themselves. I agree with what you said about the casting; Jones’ casting decisions could not have been more right. Jake Gyllenhaal is one of my favorite actors and I think he did an amazing job in this movie. He completely fit the role of the wise and wounded soldier, but also as the naive young man uncertain of what is truly going on. All together, this movie was a hit for me and I would highly recommend it for an audience of any age.
8. Rolando Adames 10.13.11 / 9pm

   I agree with this critic the source code is an excellent movie, it is truly a thrill to watch. I thought of it more of a suspenseful film because it was so confusing to me at first. Honestly I had to watch it twice to get it and I usually catch on fast.
   It was nice how he wanted to go back and save the girl, and the officer was willing to help. I do wish there was more than the train scene. See I loved the suspense but I don’t like the repeat, but I know it went with the scene.
   Overall a great movie and another one I am going to own.
9. Jason Chapman 10.14.11 / 4pm

   Source Code, directed by Duncan Penn, is a riveting science fiction that fallows a short of ground hog day timeline. The movie was exciting and had an intense plot. The film took the audience through a thrilling story about a train bombing. The main character, first seen as confused and seemingly sleep deprived, learns more and more about his predicament as the story goes on. The acting was generally solid, but did not make the movie. The special effects were an essential part of the movie. Overall, the film was well worth the time spent watching it because of its entertainment value.
10. Christina Cifuentez 10.14.11 / 4pm

    I saw this film in theatres and was pleasantly surprised by how director Duncan Jones was able to create an action thriller that still had a bit of romance. Jake Gyllenhaal ‘s performance is great in this film. He portrays the character of Coltor Stevens well and his desperation is convincing. The entire film is based on one day within reality. Duncan Jones also finds a nice way to tie all the loose ends of the story together leaving you with a happily ever after feeling. The critic was right in describing the film as Ground Hog Day meets Die Hard.
11. Trevor Swigart 10.15.11 / 1pm

    I also saw this film in the theaters and thought it was great. I kept me interested the entire time and was actually not to predictable. I thought the overall cinematography was great and the acting was well done. I especially liked the ending, I don’t think anyone could have seen that coming. Overall great film, would recommend it to anyone.
12. Maria Teresa Liljeberg 10.26.11 / 10am

    For sure The Source Code deserve to be on the list of good movie releases in 2011. I agree with William Conlin’s excellent review, that is the first few times Colter Stevens had to re-live the memory of another man and getting blown up each time while trying to figure out what’s going on with his own mind, then returning to the same event each time around, do remind me Groundhog Day. However, in addition to Conlin’s description this movie reminds me of other movies and TV series’ I’ve seen; my combination of movie is Ground Hog day/Quantum Leap/Dollhouse and then the action pack in Die Hard. Nevertheless, Conlin’s review was well done with some spoiler alert if you haven’t seen this movie, but it’s an absolute great guide to this intriguing and thrilling movie.
13. Bryan Beverly 11.01.11 / 3pm

    Source Code was a very exciting movie. The plot was very interesting and different. I think Duncan Jones did a good job of directing the film. He really kept you on your feet the whole movie. I liked how by the end of the movie, he tied everything back together to end the movie in a resolving fashion. The acting was great as well. The action and romance in the movie was just enough to keep the audience attentive, and have them feel emotions for the characters. I would put this movie on the list of top films of 2011. The only thing that kept me from really getting into this film, was the reality of it. I can’t get past films that aren’t physically possible in real life unless it’s Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.
14. Matilda Frid 01.27.12 / 11am

    From the very first minutes I liked this movie. It was thrilling and although I was confused at times, I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. You have to be careful not to drift away for a moment since this movie requires you and your brain to be awake. A mix between Groundhog Day and Die Hard was a really good way to describe this film. I was pleasantly surprised!
15. Sandra Andersson 01.29.12 / 10pm

    When Source Code was released I rushed to the theatre to see it, I had longed for the film for months and I was afraid I was going to get disappointed. I was worried for nothing, Duncan James delivered, Jake Gyllenhaal delivered and the film delivered. I agree with you that it is one of the best films of 2011, and it’s certainly on my top 10 list for the year.
16. Sanni Frostenson 03.14.12 / 3pm

    To my own surprise I liked this film for more than what I thought was just going to be a series of thrilling action scenes. The truth is that it does not contain much more special effects in form of explosions and such than what is already revealed in the trailer, but instead the movie has a political and human remark that I did not expect. As the reviewer describes the scientists behind the Source Code program cares more for scientific prosperity than human life and dignity, but the main character Colter Stevens start viewing the project in another way when meeting the young woman Christina Warren on the train. The perpetrator Colter is looking for is also not what the audience first would have expected which could be translated into a political aspect. Anyway, I recommend this movie to anyone that likes startling puzzle plots and great acting performance – once again Gyllenhaal’s troubled and tormented character is dazzling just as in for Donny Darko.

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