REEL DEAL: The Counselor REVIEW

Dirty business is indeed very dirty and bloody at the same time. But it can also be luxurious and philosophical. This is what I realized when I saw "The Counselor" starring Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, and Penelope Cruz.

The movie is a very complicated web of characters ranging from the innocent girl, drug cartels, crazy sex freaks, and many other links that one would never imagine being part of an illegal trade.

The Counselor reminds me of Vanilla Sky with Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz, and the one thing missing is Tom Cruise, which is filled  by Michael Fassbender. The  best thing about the Counselor is its eye for detail, which is best seen with Cameron Diaz's character. Sophisticated, complex yet close to reality which gives that chill and sometimes pity to  innocent characters involved in the mess.

THE COUNSELOR also stars Cormac McCarthy, Javier Bardem.

THE COUNSELOR is distributed by 20th Century Fox and now showing in theaters nationwide.

Deliberation time kids! 

Show summary in 3 lines: Nasty and Nice

Technical Effects: 3 out of 5 stars (Gore is somewhat cliche and may seem too light though it was rated and R-18)

Plot: 3 out of 5 stars (I have to say "WHAT?!" in the end, though I am on my way to understand the movie, it just made my head hurt)

Acting and Actors: 4 out of 5 stars  (A reunion of Cameron and Penelope from "Vanilla Sky" years ago. But I loved Cameron here all the way) 

Music and Soundtracks:  3 out for 5 stars (Sounds were really moving with the zombies, even without the soundtrack I would love to listen to zombie moans)

Pros:  Characters, Cameron Diaz, Sexual fetishes
Cons: Plot, Ending, Cliches
Overall Rating: 3.3 out of 5 stars (I was quite disappointed with it because despite the stellar cast and production, it was going into the direction of an art film and a mystery case gone haywire, and then I don't know what happened next...)