Blood Diamond is set during the Sierra Leone’s bloody civil war in 1999.Danny (Leoardo DiCaprio), a smuggler who sells “blood” diamonds used to finance terrorists, meets a local fisherman (Djimon Hounsou) who has found a 100 carat diamond that he has hidden. His family has been torn away from him, and Danny and him strike a deal. Danny gets the diamond and Soloman (the fisherman) will get his family back.

This movie is rated R and for very good reason. It is very violent. The part I have a hard time wrapping my head around is that this could still happen in the world today. The first 30 minutes of the movie are slow. I almost turned it off. However, it is well worth sticking around for the whole movie. The action is very riveting. The ending is fairly predictable, but it still is a movie well worth seeing. After watching this movie, you will never look at a diamond the same again. I know I will be asking if my diamonds are conflict free from now on.

Be prepared — Pans Labyrinth is one of the most sad movies you will see. However, it is very good and you should watch it. I had been warned prior that this movie is in Spanish. However, there are subtitles. When you first start watching, they are somewhat annoying. However, by the end of the movie, you don’t even realize that you are reading. It all just flows together. The story is good (but sad) and the ending is definitely not predictable. If you have seen the movie, I have a question for you regarding the end.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

In this fairy tale for adults, 10 year old Ofelia stumbles on a decaying labyrinth guarded by Pan, an ancient satyr who claims to know her destiny. With a new home, a new stepfather –a Fascist officer in the pro-Franco army — and a new sibling on the way, nothing is familiar to Ofelia in this multiple Oscar-winning tale set in 1944 Spain.

It is rated R and is 112 minutes. It is a movie I definitely recommend that you see.

If you have not seen 300 yet, go rent it. Now. That is how good this movie is. It has a little something for everyone. It is based on events that really happened and a race of people that really did exist. The men in this movie wear very little (which is great for the ladies). There are a lot of six pack abs to enjoy. The movie is very violent. However, there is having violence just to have it and then there is violence that is needed for the story. 300 uses the latter. I had the ending guessed within 5 minutes of watching the movie (I usually do with most movies). However, the action made for the predictable storyline. I was on the edge of my seat watching all of the action. This movie is awesome. Either buy it or rent it. It is worth every cent.