10. V For Vendetta
Some might think that this movie was a little too politically charged and that there was a lot more action advertised. However, I thought that the movie was very well done and proof that the creators of The Matrix might actually have a pretty good future outside of The Matrix. If anyone in the North Carolina area might have a burned copy of this movie (we shall call him "How" and that must me prounounced as if you were a dumbstruck Chinaman), feel free to watch this great movie and send it back.
9. Little Miss Sunshine
The family in this movie is by far the poster family for dysfunction. The acting was phenomenal across the board and on top of being well written and acted, this movie produced some of the biggest belly laughs of the year by far.
8. Dave Chappelle's Block Party
I love Dave Chappelle. He is one of those people that I can die laughing just from watching him have a conversation. He was hysterical in this movie as he wandered around inviting people to his block party. I even ended up liking the music, but even if you aren't in to that type of music you end up loving this movie anyway.
7. Blood Diamond
Even with the graphic violence, this movie was completely phenomenal. The acting was great all around - especially Djimon Hounsou. He really doesn't get the respect he deserves. The pace and story barely let up and the few times that it slowed down a bit, it came roaring back in the blink of an eye.
6. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the greatest film characters ever. Even if the story was a bit wishy washy and all over the place, this movie was still awesome just because of Captain Jack. Not to mention that I'm a big sucker for a mega-blockbuster movie like this.
5. Cars
When I saw that Pixar was making a movie about talking cars I figured that they would finally have a bomb on their hands. There's no way that could end up being entertaining. However, I ended up being dead wrong. This movie ended up being one of Pixar's better movies and Larry The Cable Guy became one of the best animated voices ever.
4. The Pursuit Of Happyness
Even though I could understand some people could think it's too sappy and pulls heart strings too much, I thought this movie was phenomenal!!! Will Smith was awesome as always. This is also the type of movie that makes you realize that no matter how bad you have it - it could always be much worse and that you just have to keep pushing through no matter what. It was a perfect feel good movie.
3. Miami Vice
Michael Mann (Heat, The Insider, Collateral) is one of my favorite directors. He seems to do something special with the look of his movies and that alone seems to suck you in that much more. I was a huge fan of the television series, but thought that this movie was so much better than the show ever was. Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx were both awesome and the action scenes were beyond intense.
2. Dreamgirls
I absolutely loved this movie. I wasn't quite sure what to expect going in. Basically I never really am when it comes to musicals. However, this movie was phenomenal. The acting performances were great all around - even Beyonce and Eddie Murphy. I could see all of them getting Oscar nominations, especially Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson. I actually think that Jennifer Hudson is a lock for Best Supporting Actress. She sang one song in the middle of the movie that actually had the whole crowd applauding after it was done.
1. The Departed
Every once a while a movie comes out that is pefectly made in every way. This is one of those movies. The casting was top notch with Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. The script was great and the direction of Martin Scorsese was so good that I actually even thought that Alec Baldwin and Mark Wahlberg were great actors. This is one of those classic cops and robbers/good guys vs bad guys movies and by far the best movie of 2006.
2006: The Worst
10. The Nativity Story
I can't believe that J.C. didn't use divine intervention to keep this movie about his birth from hitting theaters. How can you make the birth of Christ this boring!?!
9. The Black Dahlia
The movie was advertised to be about the grizzly murder of an actress some years back. However, what I watched for two hours was this all over the place movie about two detectives and the women that they were sleeping with with a dash of the worst overacting I've seen in a long time.
8. The Fountain
It has been over a month and I still have no clue what this movie was about. I can't get the image of Hugh Jackman talking to a tree that is supposed to be the only "living" extension of the love of his life inside a bubble flying in space.
7. Ultraviolet
Who in the blue hell thought that making a low-budget version of The Matrix starring the girl who keeps saying "Multipass" in The Fifth Element as the lead was a good idea? I've never seen a more idiotic action movie in my life.
6. The Wicker Man
Why, Nicolas Cage, Why? This movie tried so hard to be like The Ring or The Grudge, but I guess that unless the Japanese make these kinds of movies first - they are horrible! It's been a long time since I left a theater so annoyed at the movie I just watched.
5. The Return
See above but change Nicolas Cage to Sarah Michelle Gellar.
4. Crank
Every once and a while you see a movie and the only thing that you leave thinking about it is what made the people at the studio sitting around their big table think that this was a good idea? I'm not even sure that they were following a script in this one. It was so random that I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out that the whole movie was improv.
3. The Covenant
When I first saw the commercial for this movie, it had a car seperating in to pieces to avoid getting hit by a truck and then reconfiguring after passing it to continue driving. Honestly, I thought that the commercial was for a new car or something and had no idea it was a movie. I now really wish that it was. This movie would have been lame even if it was a made for TV movie on FOX.
2. Running Scared
I forgot that this movie came out this year and it was a tough call between this movie and the biggest loser for this list. This movie was so scatterbrained words can really do no justice. It had an undercover cop investigating the mob, a guy from Russia that was obsessed with John Wayne, that creepy kid who took a bath with Nicole Kidman in "Birth", a pimp that wants revenge for a broken head light on his car, people getting beaten by getting hockey puck slapshots to the face, and a woman taking down a child porn ring while looking for her aforementioned husband (the undercover cop). The really crazy thing is that this is one of those movies that is so bad, I actually recommend that everyone see it. It's so brutal that you are laughing your a$$ off by the end even though the movie couldn't be less funny.
1. Deck The Halls
This will go down in the history books of Hollywood as the worst holiday movie ever. Holiday movies are supposed to be cheesy by nature, but this one was the stinkiest, most rotten cheesy ever. It was about a guy who wants his house to be seen by a space satelite and used decorating for Christmas to be the fuel for his awesome goal. COME ON NOW! Not to mention that the movie also stars Matthew Broderick and it kills me to think how much I idolized him when I was younger. What the hell happened to Ferris Bueller!?!
I can't believe that J.C. didn't use divine intervention to keep this movie about his birth from hitting theaters. How can you make the birth of Christ this boring!?!
9. The Black Dahlia
The movie was advertised to be about the grizzly murder of an actress some years back. However, what I watched for two hours was this all over the place movie about two detectives and the women that they were sleeping with with a dash of the worst overacting I've seen in a long time.
8. The Fountain
It has been over a month and I still have no clue what this movie was about. I can't get the image of Hugh Jackman talking to a tree that is supposed to be the only "living" extension of the love of his life inside a bubble flying in space.
7. Ultraviolet
Who in the blue hell thought that making a low-budget version of The Matrix starring the girl who keeps saying "Multipass" in The Fifth Element as the lead was a good idea? I've never seen a more idiotic action movie in my life.
6. The Wicker Man
Why, Nicolas Cage, Why? This movie tried so hard to be like The Ring or The Grudge, but I guess that unless the Japanese make these kinds of movies first - they are horrible! It's been a long time since I left a theater so annoyed at the movie I just watched.
5. The Return
See above but change Nicolas Cage to Sarah Michelle Gellar.
4. Crank
Every once and a while you see a movie and the only thing that you leave thinking about it is what made the people at the studio sitting around their big table think that this was a good idea? I'm not even sure that they were following a script in this one. It was so random that I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out that the whole movie was improv.
3. The Covenant
When I first saw the commercial for this movie, it had a car seperating in to pieces to avoid getting hit by a truck and then reconfiguring after passing it to continue driving. Honestly, I thought that the commercial was for a new car or something and had no idea it was a movie. I now really wish that it was. This movie would have been lame even if it was a made for TV movie on FOX.
2. Running Scared
I forgot that this movie came out this year and it was a tough call between this movie and the biggest loser for this list. This movie was so scatterbrained words can really do no justice. It had an undercover cop investigating the mob, a guy from Russia that was obsessed with John Wayne, that creepy kid who took a bath with Nicole Kidman in "Birth", a pimp that wants revenge for a broken head light on his car, people getting beaten by getting hockey puck slapshots to the face, and a woman taking down a child porn ring while looking for her aforementioned husband (the undercover cop). The really crazy thing is that this is one of those movies that is so bad, I actually recommend that everyone see it. It's so brutal that you are laughing your a$$ off by the end even though the movie couldn't be less funny.
1. Deck The Halls
This will go down in the history books of Hollywood as the worst holiday movie ever. Holiday movies are supposed to be cheesy by nature, but this one was the stinkiest, most rotten cheesy ever. It was about a guy who wants his house to be seen by a space satelite and used decorating for Christmas to be the fuel for his awesome goal. COME ON NOW! Not to mention that the movie also stars Matthew Broderick and it kills me to think how much I idolized him when I was younger. What the hell happened to Ferris Bueller!?!
The Good Shepherd
The early history of the Central Intelligence Agency is viewed through one man's life in The Good Shepherd. Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) understands the value of secrecy-discretion and commitment to honor have been embedded in him since childhood. As a student at Yale, he is recruited to join the secret society Skull and Bones, a brotherhood and breeding ground for future world leaders. As one of the covert founders of the CIA, Edward's' idealism is steadily eroded by a growing suspicious nature, reflective of a world settling into the long paranoia of the Cold War. However, his steely dedication to his country comes at an ever-increasing price. Not even his wife Clover (Angelina Jolie) or his beloved son can divert Wilson from a path that will force him to sacrifice everything in pursuit of this job.
Before saying anything about what I (or movie going life partner Wonder Woman and special guest The Good German . . . not the movie - the man, people!) thought about the movie, I must give the warning that this movie is 2 hours and40 minutes long. That kind of a running time can float for the Lord Of The Rings, Titanics, and Harry Potters of the world, but outside of those kind of mega movies a running time like that can kill a movie . . . . . not to mention your a$$ and back. The running time didn't kill this movie by any means, but it definitely hurt it.
The movie was actually pretty good. It was interesting to watch everyone completely not trusting each other. I thought that Matt Damon actually did a really great job and was by far and away the most emotionless person I've ever seen. The movie did a good job of showing how the CIA evolved. The only thing that really held this movie back from total greatness was that kept jumping back and forth between the 40s and the 60s at inopportune times. You would finally start following what was going on in the 60s and they would take you back and your head would have to play catch up again.
I would recommend readers checking this one out. It's not a rush to theaters type movie, but it's worth the price of admission and the running time will give you ample time to take advantage of the free refills on the drinks and popcorn.
Before saying anything about what I (or movie going life partner Wonder Woman and special guest The Good German . . . not the movie - the man, people!) thought about the movie, I must give the warning that this movie is 2 hours and40 minutes long. That kind of a running time can float for the Lord Of The Rings, Titanics, and Harry Potters of the world, but outside of those kind of mega movies a running time like that can kill a movie . . . . . not to mention your a$$ and back. The running time didn't kill this movie by any means, but it definitely hurt it.
The movie was actually pretty good. It was interesting to watch everyone completely not trusting each other. I thought that Matt Damon actually did a really great job and was by far and away the most emotionless person I've ever seen. The movie did a good job of showing how the CIA evolved. The only thing that really held this movie back from total greatness was that kept jumping back and forth between the 40s and the 60s at inopportune times. You would finally start following what was going on in the 60s and they would take you back and your head would have to play catch up again.
I would recommend readers checking this one out. It's not a rush to theaters type movie, but it's worth the price of admission and the running time will give you ample time to take advantage of the free refills on the drinks and popcorn.
We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall tells an inspiring true story set in Huntington, West Virginia, a small town steeped in the rich tradition of college football. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families have come together to cheer on Marshall University's Thundering Herd. For this team and this community, Marshall football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life. But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntington after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall's football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash. As those left behind struggled to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall's football program and in the process helped to heal a community.
As I've said previously in some postings - I am a total sucker for a good underdog sports movie. This one definitely landed right on my sweet spot. Add to the fact that it was based on a true story and had great performances by everyone (especially Matthew McConaughey as the quirky head coach) and the fact that the university is where the New York Jets Chad Pennington went to and he gets a shout out at the end of the movie (Sorry, people. My beloved Jets are in the playoff hunt . . . . J . . . . E . . . . . T . . . . . S . . . . JETS JETS JETS!), I give this movie a big thumbs up.
I recommend this movie for viewing at the local theater. It's not a must see, but worth the trip if you have the time/money.
As I've said previously in some postings - I am a total sucker for a good underdog sports movie. This one definitely landed right on my sweet spot. Add to the fact that it was based on a true story and had great performances by everyone (especially Matthew McConaughey as the quirky head coach) and the fact that the university is where the New York Jets Chad Pennington went to and he gets a shout out at the end of the movie (Sorry, people. My beloved Jets are in the playoff hunt . . . . J . . . . E . . . . . T . . . . . S . . . . JETS JETS JETS!), I give this movie a big thumbs up.
I recommend this movie for viewing at the local theater. It's not a must see, but worth the trip if you have the time/money.
Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls, the Broadway play, comes to the big screen. Set in the early 1960s to mid-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rise of a trio of women—Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose)—who have formed a promising girl group called The Dreamettes. At a talent competition, they are discovered by an ambitious manager named Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who offers them the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the back-up singers for headliner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis gradually takes control of the girls' look and sound, eventually giving them their own shot in the spotlight as The Dreams. That spotlight, however, begins to narrow in on Deena, finally pushing the less attractive Effie out altogether. Though the Dreams become a crossover phenomenon, they soon realize that the cost of fame and fortune may be higher than they ever imagined.
I absolutely loved this movie. I wasn't quite sure what to expect going in. Basically I never really am when it comes to musicals. However, this movie was phenomenal. The acting performances were great all around - even Beyonce and Eddie Murphy. I could see all of them getting Oscar nominations, especially Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson. I actually think that Jennifer Hudson is a lock for Best Supporting Actress. She sang one song in the middle of the movie that actually had the whole crowd applauding after it was done. This movie is a definite must see by all.
I fully recommend this movie to all readers. As of right now it stands as number two on the Best of 2006 on the soon to be posted list. Get out there right now and see this one, people!
I absolutely loved this movie. I wasn't quite sure what to expect going in. Basically I never really am when it comes to musicals. However, this movie was phenomenal. The acting performances were great all around - even Beyonce and Eddie Murphy. I could see all of them getting Oscar nominations, especially Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson. I actually think that Jennifer Hudson is a lock for Best Supporting Actress. She sang one song in the middle of the movie that actually had the whole crowd applauding after it was done. This movie is a definite must see by all.
I fully recommend this movie to all readers. As of right now it stands as number two on the Best of 2006 on the soon to be posted list. Get out there right now and see this one, people!
Night At The Museum
The halls of the Natural History Museum are lined with the most amazing things – wild-eyed prehistoric creatures, fierce ancient warriors, long lost tribes, African animals and history's legendary heroes – all frozen forever in time. Or... are they? In the action-adventure-comedy, Night at the Museum, the new night guard Larry (Ben Stiller) is about to discover that when the visitors go home at the end of the day, the real adventure begins – as the museum's residents come out to play.
I enjoyed this movie. I didn't absolutely love it but it was definitely worth watching. It was a lot like a Jumangi type thing where the effects alone keep you interesteted. You can never go wrong with something like that as long as the effects are cool enough. It's also one of those movies that you pretty much know exactly what you are going to get from watching the preview. People in the museum come to life . . . . something is going to get messed up . . . . new guy is going to have to fix it. You could just sit down and watch and not have to think too much at all. The only thing that kind of turned me off towards it was that I expected it to be funnier. However, the kids loved it and that alone is worth making the trip to theaters at this time of year.
I would recommend this movie to everyone . . . . especially someone with kids. It's the best family movie out there for the holidays right now.
I enjoyed this movie. I didn't absolutely love it but it was definitely worth watching. It was a lot like a Jumangi type thing where the effects alone keep you interesteted. You can never go wrong with something like that as long as the effects are cool enough. It's also one of those movies that you pretty much know exactly what you are going to get from watching the preview. People in the museum come to life . . . . something is going to get messed up . . . . new guy is going to have to fix it. You could just sit down and watch and not have to think too much at all. The only thing that kind of turned me off towards it was that I expected it to be funnier. However, the kids loved it and that alone is worth making the trip to theaters at this time of year.
I would recommend this movie to everyone . . . . especially someone with kids. It's the best family movie out there for the holidays right now.
Rocky Balboa
The greatest underdog story of our time is back for one final round of the Rocky franchise. Former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa steps out of retirement and back into the ring, pitting himself against a new rival in a dramatically different era. After a virtual boxing match declares Rocky Balboa the victor over current champion Mason Dixon, the legendary fighter's passion and spirit are reignited.
I thought that it was a joke when I originally heard that they were making this movie. Then, when I found out it was true - I thought this would be one of the worst movies ever made. Wasn't Rocky V bad enough to kill the franchise? However, I was very surprised by this movie and ended up enjoying it very much. I'm not going to come close to saying that it was a great movie, but it was a hell of a lot better than I thought it would be. It dragged a little bit at the beginning and the tension between Rocky and his son was a tad on the annoying side, but once it all got going you feel like you are watching the first one (or Rocky IV - my personal favorite) all over again. You are completely sucked in and excited and find yourself wanting to clap at the end.
I fully recommend that everyone check this one out. It's not a must see but it is more than worthy of the trip to the theater.
I thought that it was a joke when I originally heard that they were making this movie. Then, when I found out it was true - I thought this would be one of the worst movies ever made. Wasn't Rocky V bad enough to kill the franchise? However, I was very surprised by this movie and ended up enjoying it very much. I'm not going to come close to saying that it was a great movie, but it was a hell of a lot better than I thought it would be. It dragged a little bit at the beginning and the tension between Rocky and his son was a tad on the annoying side, but once it all got going you feel like you are watching the first one (or Rocky IV - my personal favorite) all over again. You are completely sucked in and excited and find yourself wanting to clap at the end.
I fully recommend that everyone check this one out. It's not a must see but it is more than worthy of the trip to the theater.
The Pursuit Of Happyness
In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesman. Struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a better life for the two of them.
Even though I could understand some people could think it's too sappy and pulls heart strings too much, I thought this movie was phenomenal!!! Will Smith was awesome as always. It is really hard to believe that "The Fresh Prince" has ended up being such an amazing actor, but he performs so well in this movie that I couldn't look away from the screen and barely felt the two hours pass by while watching it. This is also the type of movie that makes you realize that no matter how bad you have it - it could always be much worse and that you just have to keep pushing through no matter what. I could not have seen this movie at a more perfect time in my life. This movie made me realize that no matter how tough things are or how hard of a time I could be having dealing with things - I have got my Wonder Woman (there are few people out there more wonderous than her, people!) , I have got my health, and I have got my kids/family.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. I think that it should get a nomination for Best Picture this year and that Will Smith completely deserves the Best Actor award. What are you waiting for? Go see it!
Even though I could understand some people could think it's too sappy and pulls heart strings too much, I thought this movie was phenomenal!!! Will Smith was awesome as always. It is really hard to believe that "The Fresh Prince" has ended up being such an amazing actor, but he performs so well in this movie that I couldn't look away from the screen and barely felt the two hours pass by while watching it. This is also the type of movie that makes you realize that no matter how bad you have it - it could always be much worse and that you just have to keep pushing through no matter what. I could not have seen this movie at a more perfect time in my life. This movie made me realize that no matter how tough things are or how hard of a time I could be having dealing with things - I have got my Wonder Woman (there are few people out there more wonderous than her, people!) , I have got my health, and I have got my kids/family.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. I think that it should get a nomination for Best Picture this year and that Will Smith completely deserves the Best Actor award. What are you waiting for? Go see it!
Charlotte's Web
The classic story comes to life in this live-action adaptation. Fern (Dakota Fanning) raises a pig named Wilbur, the runt of the litter. As Wilbur moves into a new barn, he begins a second profound friendship with the most unlikely of creatures – a spider named Charlotte – and their bond inspires the animals around them to come together as a family. When the word gets out that Wilbur's days are numbered, it seems that only a miracle will save his life. A determined Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving.
I couldn't wait to see this movie and I'm thinking that I let my expectations get the best of me. I was pretty disappointed in this movie and I really don't know why. It's not that the movie was poop or anything. I just basically didn't care about what was going on. In movies like this - there is supposed to be that emotional hook that grabs you, won't let go, and makes you leave feeling good. I wasn't hooked. That being said - my future stepdaughter and her best friend liked the movie a lot so maybe this is just one of those movies that is a lot more for kids than one of those movies that reach both the adults and the kids. Or maybe it was just Wonder Woman and I being too tired to truly enjoy the movie? I'm really not sure what to tell you here, people. Sorry.
Regardless, I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone with children because they seemed to like it. As for the adults - this might be one of those movies where you could grab a quick cat nap while the kids are distracted.
I couldn't wait to see this movie and I'm thinking that I let my expectations get the best of me. I was pretty disappointed in this movie and I really don't know why. It's not that the movie was poop or anything. I just basically didn't care about what was going on. In movies like this - there is supposed to be that emotional hook that grabs you, won't let go, and makes you leave feeling good. I wasn't hooked. That being said - my future stepdaughter and her best friend liked the movie a lot so maybe this is just one of those movies that is a lot more for kids than one of those movies that reach both the adults and the kids. Or maybe it was just Wonder Woman and I being too tired to truly enjoy the movie? I'm really not sure what to tell you here, people. Sorry.
Regardless, I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone with children because they seemed to like it. As for the adults - this might be one of those movies where you could grab a quick cat nap while the kids are distracted.
Eragon
This adventure centers on a young man named Eragon whose destiny is revealed with the help of a dragon. Eragon, now a Dragon Rider, is swept into a world of magic and power, discovering that he alone has the power to save – or destroy – an Empire.
I had read this book. It was one of the bazillion Harry Potter-ish books that came out after his popularity went through the roof. The book was actually really good and this movie - if done right - could have really been a scaled down Lord Of The Rings type epic (this movie is supposed to be the first one of a trilogy). Unfortunately, the filmmakers really rushed their way through the story and didn't put much effort into explaining the dynamic relationships between all the characters like they did in the book. At one point in the movie - one of the characters dies and nobody in the crowd could possibly care less. Unfortunately, that point in the book was one of the best parts.
Getting past the disappointment of what was lost in translation, the movie is not horrible. It is o.k. and watchable, but it just seems really watered down and instead of having that mass appeal that the Lord Of The Rings movies did - it ended up being directed towards young teenage boys. That group happens to be the hardest to reach for movie studios because it is next to impossible to pull them away from video games and what not. Because of this - I don't see the second and third chapters of this trilogy ever being made and that's pretty disappointing because the books really were pretty good.
I would lukewarmly recommend this to people. If you have kids that are teenager tweeners - they would like it. You might be better off passing on this though and waiting to rent it.
I had read this book. It was one of the bazillion Harry Potter-ish books that came out after his popularity went through the roof. The book was actually really good and this movie - if done right - could have really been a scaled down Lord Of The Rings type epic (this movie is supposed to be the first one of a trilogy). Unfortunately, the filmmakers really rushed their way through the story and didn't put much effort into explaining the dynamic relationships between all the characters like they did in the book. At one point in the movie - one of the characters dies and nobody in the crowd could possibly care less. Unfortunately, that point in the book was one of the best parts.
Getting past the disappointment of what was lost in translation, the movie is not horrible. It is o.k. and watchable, but it just seems really watered down and instead of having that mass appeal that the Lord Of The Rings movies did - it ended up being directed towards young teenage boys. That group happens to be the hardest to reach for movie studios because it is next to impossible to pull them away from video games and what not. Because of this - I don't see the second and third chapters of this trilogy ever being made and that's pretty disappointing because the books really were pretty good.
I would lukewarmly recommend this to people. If you have kids that are teenager tweeners - they would like it. You might be better off passing on this though and waiting to rent it.
Unaccompanied Minors
It's Christmas Eve and five kids travelling alone have just been snowed in at the airport. Unaccompanied Minors follows awkward Spencer (Dyllan Christopher), rich-girl Grace (Gina Mantegna), tomboy Donna (Quinn Shephard), geeky Charlie (Tyler James Williams) and bashful Beef (Brett Kelly) as they try to escape a disgruntled airport official (Lewis Black) and reunite with their families. These kids are about to provide themselves with a holiday for the ages.
This is one of those movies that whether or not its good doesn't really matter. It's just a question of whether or not the kids liked it. My future stepchildren and our other adopted daughter loved it. They were laughing out loud throughout the movie so I ended up enjoying it just because of that. It's also finally a good movie that you can take your kids to that doesn't use questionable sexual humor. What is the deal with all of these "family" movies nowadays that you sit through wondering how in the hell things have degraded so much that your 8 year old is laughing at this stuff that you didn't see until you were 17 years old.
Anywho, I digress in to a rant (a necessary one!!!) and must get back to the movie. If you have kids - take them to see this and enjoy laughing at them laughing. It's not necessarily a good movie but it is a good time getting to enjoy moments like that.
This is one of those movies that whether or not its good doesn't really matter. It's just a question of whether or not the kids liked it. My future stepchildren and our other adopted daughter loved it. They were laughing out loud throughout the movie so I ended up enjoying it just because of that. It's also finally a good movie that you can take your kids to that doesn't use questionable sexual humor. What is the deal with all of these "family" movies nowadays that you sit through wondering how in the hell things have degraded so much that your 8 year old is laughing at this stuff that you didn't see until you were 17 years old.
Anywho, I digress in to a rant (a necessary one!!!) and must get back to the movie. If you have kids - take them to see this and enjoy laughing at them laughing. It's not necessarily a good movie but it is a good time getting to enjoy moments like that.
Apocalypto
From Mel Gibson, comes Apocalypto. This movie is an action-adventure set against the turbulent end times of the once great Mayan civilization. When one of the tribesman's existence is suddenly disrupted by a violent invading tribe, he ends up on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression that will ultimately lead to his death. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.
I went in to this movie thinking that there was no way that Mel Gibson could keep up with prior amazing movies like Braveheart and Passion Of The Christ and was very pleasantly surprised. Be warned - the movie is subtitled and it is very graphic at times (I'm just going to go ahead and warn all readers that a man eats a boar's testicles . . . . . . . I almost gagged!). However, my golden rule of whether or not a subtitled movie is great or not is if you forget that you are reading what the characters are saying. You totally don't realize it in this movie because you really are glued to what's going on up on the screen. Just the look of the film with the jungle action was amazing.
I really liked this movie a lot and strongly recommend it to anyone who would be in to a history channel type movie and can deal with subtitles. I know how that can be a real killer sometimes, but this movie is very much worth it.
I went in to this movie thinking that there was no way that Mel Gibson could keep up with prior amazing movies like Braveheart and Passion Of The Christ and was very pleasantly surprised. Be warned - the movie is subtitled and it is very graphic at times (I'm just going to go ahead and warn all readers that a man eats a boar's testicles . . . . . . . I almost gagged!). However, my golden rule of whether or not a subtitled movie is great or not is if you forget that you are reading what the characters are saying. You totally don't realize it in this movie because you really are glued to what's going on up on the screen. Just the look of the film with the jungle action was amazing.
I really liked this movie a lot and strongly recommend it to anyone who would be in to a history channel type movie and can deal with subtitles. I know how that can be a real killer sometimes, but this movie is very much worth it.
The Holiday
In The Holiday, two women on opposite sides of the globe, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) find themselves in a similar situations of man hating. Desperate for a change of scenery, the two women meet on the internet and swap houses for the Christmas holiday discovering that a change of address really can change your life.
This movie was cute. There were some really good laughs and you find yourself enjoying the four major characters. Jude Law ends up playing Cameron Diaz's beau, while Jack Black fills that role for Kate Winslett. It was a nice holiday/date movie which everyone pretty much knew going in from the commercial/preview. The only problem I had with this movie is the same as every one of Nancy Meyer's movies (What Women Want, Something's Gotta Give). They are just too long. This movie was 2 hours and 15 minutes long. When you go in to a movie having a pretty dead on idea of where it's going to end up - you shouldn't have to watch for 2 hours and 15 minutes to see it get there. This could have easily been an hour and 45 minutes.
Regardless, I would recommend this movie to all. It's really not a bad movie. It's just a tad too long.
This movie was cute. There were some really good laughs and you find yourself enjoying the four major characters. Jude Law ends up playing Cameron Diaz's beau, while Jack Black fills that role for Kate Winslett. It was a nice holiday/date movie which everyone pretty much knew going in from the commercial/preview. The only problem I had with this movie is the same as every one of Nancy Meyer's movies (What Women Want, Something's Gotta Give). They are just too long. This movie was 2 hours and 15 minutes long. When you go in to a movie having a pretty dead on idea of where it's going to end up - you shouldn't have to watch for 2 hours and 15 minutes to see it get there. This could have easily been an hour and 45 minutes.
Regardless, I would recommend this movie to all. It's really not a bad movie. It's just a tad too long.
Blood Diamond
Set during the civil war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, Blood Diamond is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou). Both men are African, but their histories are as different as any can be—until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. More than a search for a valuable diamond, the journey could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.
Before reviewing this movie I feel that I should give any reader the same warning that the idiot gave WW and I throughout the entire movie . . . . it's very violent. Seriously though - they do not hold back at all. Connect the gruesome violence along with the fact that this stuff is absolutely happening and the movie really hits you pretty hard. Even with the graphic violence, this movie was completely phenomenal. The acting was great all around - especially Djimon Hounsou. He really doesn't get the respect he deserves. Leonardo DiCaprio continued to impress me as an actor (I was never a big fan of his until The Aviator). The pace and story barely let up and the few times that it slowed down a bit, it came roaring back in the blink of an eye.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone (I can still hear that annoying lady repeatedly saying how violent it is. Damn her!). This was a really great movie and should definitely garner some Oscar attention.
Before reviewing this movie I feel that I should give any reader the same warning that the idiot gave WW and I throughout the entire movie . . . . it's very violent. Seriously though - they do not hold back at all. Connect the gruesome violence along with the fact that this stuff is absolutely happening and the movie really hits you pretty hard. Even with the graphic violence, this movie was completely phenomenal. The acting was great all around - especially Djimon Hounsou. He really doesn't get the respect he deserves. Leonardo DiCaprio continued to impress me as an actor (I was never a big fan of his until The Aviator). The pace and story barely let up and the few times that it slowed down a bit, it came roaring back in the blink of an eye.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone (I can still hear that annoying lady repeatedly saying how violent it is. Damn her!). This was a really great movie and should definitely garner some Oscar attention.
Babel
Two boys set out to look after their family's herd of goats with a rifle. They decide to test the rifle, but the bullet goes farther than they thought it would. In an instant, the lives of four separate groups of strangers on three different continents collide. Caught up in the rising tide of an accident that escalates beyond anyone's control are a vacationing American couple (Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchett), a deaf Japanese teenager and her father, and a Mexican nanny who takes two American children across the border without permission. None of these strangers will ever meet. They will all remain isolated due to their own inability to communicate with anyone around them.
3/4 of the movie was phenomenal. The other extremely awkward 1/4 of it held this movie back more than any movie I can think of in recent years. Basically the two aforementioned kids accidentally shoot Cate Blanchett. Because of this: A - Brad Pitt is trying as hard as possible to take care of his injured wife . . . B - They are unable to get home to their children and relieve their nanny who had plans to go to her son's wedding in Mexico and is now going to take the children with her . . . C - The kids who shot Cate Blanchett are on the run trying to cover up what they have done . . . . D - There is some deaf/mute Japanese girl who is obsessed with having sex. Try and guess which 1/4 of the movie was holding it back.
Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's story was awesome and you find yourself inadvertantly wondering what the heck you would do if you were in a similar situation. Watching the kids who did the shooting try to cover their tracks definitely kept you interested. The part with the nanny taking the kids over the border in to Mexico and trying to get them back was the best of the four stories in my opinion. And then there's the thing with the Japanese girl. Because the other three stories were so well done and ended up being interconnected, I tried to be as patient as possible with this one. In the end, the only tie to the other situations was that the rifle that was used to shoot Cate Blanchett was registered in the Japanese girl's father's name. I was so annoyed that was the only link to her story after I had to suffer through watching her for so long trying to offer herself to any Japanese man she saw. Her part was such dead weight in an otherwise phenomenal movie.
I would still recommend this movie to anyone, but strongly advise you to save all the bathroom trips or visits to put more butter on the popcorn for whenever the Japanese girl is on screen.
3/4 of the movie was phenomenal. The other extremely awkward 1/4 of it held this movie back more than any movie I can think of in recent years. Basically the two aforementioned kids accidentally shoot Cate Blanchett. Because of this: A - Brad Pitt is trying as hard as possible to take care of his injured wife . . . B - They are unable to get home to their children and relieve their nanny who had plans to go to her son's wedding in Mexico and is now going to take the children with her . . . C - The kids who shot Cate Blanchett are on the run trying to cover up what they have done . . . . D - There is some deaf/mute Japanese girl who is obsessed with having sex. Try and guess which 1/4 of the movie was holding it back.
Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's story was awesome and you find yourself inadvertantly wondering what the heck you would do if you were in a similar situation. Watching the kids who did the shooting try to cover their tracks definitely kept you interested. The part with the nanny taking the kids over the border in to Mexico and trying to get them back was the best of the four stories in my opinion. And then there's the thing with the Japanese girl. Because the other three stories were so well done and ended up being interconnected, I tried to be as patient as possible with this one. In the end, the only tie to the other situations was that the rifle that was used to shoot Cate Blanchett was registered in the Japanese girl's father's name. I was so annoyed that was the only link to her story after I had to suffer through watching her for so long trying to offer herself to any Japanese man she saw. Her part was such dead weight in an otherwise phenomenal movie.
I would still recommend this movie to anyone, but strongly advise you to save all the bathroom trips or visits to put more butter on the popcorn for whenever the Japanese girl is on screen.
The Nativity Story
The Nativity Story chronicles the journey of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. Pretty simple summary on this one, people.
I'm going to pray to God that I don't get struck by lightning while reviewing this movie, but I think it would be worse to lie about it. This movie was horrible. Nice - no lightning. I guess even our Lord realizes how poopish this film was. I can't remember the last time that a movie dragged as slow as this one did. And it was about the birth of Christ! How can you make that story be this boring? And I still can't get over how the filmmakers decided to make the three wisemen be like the three stooges. It seemed like they were actually inserted in to the movie for comic relief. HELLO!?! One of the things that I had the hardest time wrapping my head around was that almost every major character was played by an actor or actress who has played a terrorist on tv against Jack Bauer on 24 or in a movie in the last year. I think that Osama Bin Laden might have actually been the guy that offered them the manger. Whew! Still no lightning.
All kidding aside though - I sadly - very very sadly - wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Especially not those who put religion at a premium because the movie really comes across as insulting and boring.
I'm going to pray to God that I don't get struck by lightning while reviewing this movie, but I think it would be worse to lie about it. This movie was horrible. Nice - no lightning. I guess even our Lord realizes how poopish this film was. I can't remember the last time that a movie dragged as slow as this one did. And it was about the birth of Christ! How can you make that story be this boring? And I still can't get over how the filmmakers decided to make the three wisemen be like the three stooges. It seemed like they were actually inserted in to the movie for comic relief. HELLO!?! One of the things that I had the hardest time wrapping my head around was that almost every major character was played by an actor or actress who has played a terrorist on tv against Jack Bauer on 24 or in a movie in the last year. I think that Osama Bin Laden might have actually been the guy that offered them the manger. Whew! Still no lightning.
All kidding aside though - I sadly - very very sadly - wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Especially not those who put religion at a premium because the movie really comes across as insulting and boring.
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