Honorable Mention - Arthur & The Invisibles
I'm pretty sure that barely anyone knows of this movie. It came out way back in January and I took my future stepdaughter to see it and the two of us absolutely loved it. It reminded me of those movies from when I was a kid like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Its not top ten worthy, but definitely justified an honorable mention shout out.
10. 3:10 To Yuma
Pretty much the only genre of movies that I am not really a fan of is Westerns. However, I completely enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe were both great and Ben Foster put forth one of the best performances of the year as the main bad guy.
9. The Simpsons Movie
This movie deserves a spot on this list simply because they can make it as fresh and funny some 19 years after the Simpsons were created. That's simply amazing. Most of the time you get a movie that's way past due and it ends up just kind of being there. That was not the case with this awesome piece of work.
8. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
The fact that these movies continue to get better and better five movies deep in to the franchise is phenomenal. This movie struck me as the "Empire Strikes Back" of the franchise. It was darker than the previous one and served as the perfect bridge from the lighter first four and the two that are still to come. Side note - Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange might be the single best casting decision ever.
7. The Bourne Ultimatum
This movie was awesome simply because of how action packed it was and when you think about it - there really weren't any special effects. The fight scenes and car chases all looked so real. Plus the perfectly built suspense keeps your eyes glued to the screen the whole time. This is one of those movies that you can't even check to see what time it is.
6. The Kingdom
I think its a shame how underappreciated this movie was. It was like watching CSI: Saudi and then you couldn't even breathe for the last 20 - 30 minutes because of how terrified you were with the suspense level. Not to mention that Jason Bateman starting to surface in more prominent roles is the single best acting related thing to happen in Hollywood this year. The movie also drives home a really strong message and isn't just a popcorn, patriotic - kick their ass kind of movie.
5. Sweeney Todd
Nobody does quirky better than the combination of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. I was beyond skeptical about this movie (as I am about all musicals), especially with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter singing. However, this movie did such an amazing job of sucking you in regardless of how weird/dark everything was and how gory it was at times. I found myself loving the music and not finding it out of place at all.
4. The Kite Runner
I loved the book and couldn't wait to see the movie. It still managed to meet my expectations when they were so high. If anyone doesn't like this movie, they simply don't have a heart in their chest. This movie gave such a remarkable insight in to a culture that we are mostly blind to out of rage and drives home the "they aren't all bad" line of thinking.
3. No Country For Old Men
This movie easily would have been number two if it wasn't for the last 2 minutes of the movie. This was the best 99.9% of a movie ever. I was so disenchanted by the final pointless (damn you, artsy directors!) scene that it cost it a silver medal. Javier Bardem's character in this should be a lock for Best Supporting Actor at every award show this year. He was the creepiest guy on screen since Hannibal Lecter. The tension between him and Josh Brolin was one of the best good guy/bad guy things I've seen in a long time.
2. American Gangster
This was an awesome rise and fall gangster movie. It wasn't as good as The Godfathers, Goodfellas or The Departed but it was pretty damn close. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe were both awesome. The growing build up of their seperate stories was very well done and when it culminated there was no disappointment with the pay off.
1. Transformers
I have waited so long for a true "event" movie. So many have been given that label in the last ten plus years (basically since Independence Day) and haven't fully paid off. I felt that this one truly did. I can't remember the last time I felt like a little kid with the excitement that this movie made me feel. When I heard Optimus Prime's voice and it was the same from the cartoon I was freaking out. The effects were obviously awesome. The script was full of huge laughs along with the great action. Shia LeBeouf is the next Will Smith. He simply has that "it" quality. This may not have been worthy of "Best Picture" status by any means, but I haven't truly enjoyed watching a movie as much as this one in years.
2007: The Worst
10. Primeval
This movie was actually not horribly bad. It was the fact that it was advertised as the story of "the most prolific serial killer of all time" and it ended up that said serial killer was . . . . . a huge alligator. That kick in the nuts advertising ploy gets this movie a spot on the bottom ten alone!
9. Employee Of The Month
It is such a shame to think of how beyond funny Dane Cook was before he went through the most massive bout of overexposure I've ever witnessed. Add that to the walking calamity that is Jessica Simpson and this movie could not have possibly been any less funny or more painful to watch.
8. Perfect Stranger
How could a thriller starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis be bad, right? I'm still asking myself that question months after seeing this movie. I would have enjoyed watching paint dry more than this steaming pile of dung.
7. Captivity
Outside of the Saw franchise which actually puts effort in to a smart script, can Hollywood please stop making this gore porn movies. They are horrible. I find myself getting incredibly mad at myself for watching these things and then I start to freak out that if someone is demented enough to film/write this stuff - what the hell are they doing with their free time for inspiration, people!?!
6. 30 Days Of Night
The trying to survive from the vampire attack portion of this movie was decent. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the fact that they were trying to hide from them for 30 days of night . . . . . . in Alaska . . . . . with no heat or electricity . . . . . . sometimes outside under houses or cars . . . . . COME ON NOW! I'd be a little bit more worried about freezing to death after day 2!
5. Next
Nicolas Cage was blessed with a special power of seeing what will happen next. Unfortunately, his power only could let him see about two minutes in to the future. That has got to be the most limited special power ever! Besides the lameness of that - there was so little action that I actually walked out on this juicy turd. I wonder if Mr. Cage saw me doing that 2 minutes prior?
4. Grindhouse
I've heard from fellow movie fans that seeing Grindhouse in its entire 3 plus hour form was great just because of the experience. Unfortunately, when released on video the two movies were issued seperately. I only saw one of them (Death Proof) and you couldn't pay me to even bother watching the other half. It was one of the lamest things I've ever seen and the only reason that this whole thing was made is because Tarantino's ego has gotten way to big and he insists on using his talent to recreate things he thought were cool way back when.
3. Skinwalkers
This is one of those movies that you can't help but wonder for the entire duration how many millions of dollars were totally wasted making this. It had something to do with two werewolf clans squaring off over something that totally didn't matter or make you care in any way. This would have been brutal even as a made for tv movie on the Sci-Fi network. It is completely beyond me how this was made for the big screen.
2. Bug
This movie looked so creepy in the preview. What wouldn't be creepy about a bug infestation like they advertised. Except there were no aforementioned bugs. It was some paranoid delusional guy convincing Ashley Judd that someone was watching them so they stayed in the hotel room . . . . . for the whole movie . . . . . with none of the advertised bugs. I honestly spent most of this movie wanting to drive to the fictional hotel room, knock on the door, and slap Ashley Judd in the face for being in this humongous turd of a movie.
1a. I Know Who Killed Me
So do we, Lindsay. It was you. Over and over and over and over and over again all year long. And just when we thought you couldn't possibly be any more of a pathetic mess - this movie came out. This horrible, pointless movie came out. There wasn't a single minute of this movie that I wasn't watching the screen with a totally disgusted look on my face. It was truly that bad.
Upon further review (I only rented the movie on New Year's Day 2008), the actual worst movie of 2007 is . . . . . .
Shoot Em Up
Be sure to check out my review of this putrid piece of cow dung on the video blog site.
This movie was actually not horribly bad. It was the fact that it was advertised as the story of "the most prolific serial killer of all time" and it ended up that said serial killer was . . . . . a huge alligator. That kick in the nuts advertising ploy gets this movie a spot on the bottom ten alone!
9. Employee Of The Month
It is such a shame to think of how beyond funny Dane Cook was before he went through the most massive bout of overexposure I've ever witnessed. Add that to the walking calamity that is Jessica Simpson and this movie could not have possibly been any less funny or more painful to watch.
8. Perfect Stranger
How could a thriller starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis be bad, right? I'm still asking myself that question months after seeing this movie. I would have enjoyed watching paint dry more than this steaming pile of dung.
7. Captivity
Outside of the Saw franchise which actually puts effort in to a smart script, can Hollywood please stop making this gore porn movies. They are horrible. I find myself getting incredibly mad at myself for watching these things and then I start to freak out that if someone is demented enough to film/write this stuff - what the hell are they doing with their free time for inspiration, people!?!
6. 30 Days Of Night
The trying to survive from the vampire attack portion of this movie was decent. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the fact that they were trying to hide from them for 30 days of night . . . . . . in Alaska . . . . . with no heat or electricity . . . . . . sometimes outside under houses or cars . . . . . COME ON NOW! I'd be a little bit more worried about freezing to death after day 2!
5. Next
Nicolas Cage was blessed with a special power of seeing what will happen next. Unfortunately, his power only could let him see about two minutes in to the future. That has got to be the most limited special power ever! Besides the lameness of that - there was so little action that I actually walked out on this juicy turd. I wonder if Mr. Cage saw me doing that 2 minutes prior?
4. Grindhouse
I've heard from fellow movie fans that seeing Grindhouse in its entire 3 plus hour form was great just because of the experience. Unfortunately, when released on video the two movies were issued seperately. I only saw one of them (Death Proof) and you couldn't pay me to even bother watching the other half. It was one of the lamest things I've ever seen and the only reason that this whole thing was made is because Tarantino's ego has gotten way to big and he insists on using his talent to recreate things he thought were cool way back when.
3. Skinwalkers
This is one of those movies that you can't help but wonder for the entire duration how many millions of dollars were totally wasted making this. It had something to do with two werewolf clans squaring off over something that totally didn't matter or make you care in any way. This would have been brutal even as a made for tv movie on the Sci-Fi network. It is completely beyond me how this was made for the big screen.
2. Bug
This movie looked so creepy in the preview. What wouldn't be creepy about a bug infestation like they advertised. Except there were no aforementioned bugs. It was some paranoid delusional guy convincing Ashley Judd that someone was watching them so they stayed in the hotel room . . . . . for the whole movie . . . . . with none of the advertised bugs. I honestly spent most of this movie wanting to drive to the fictional hotel room, knock on the door, and slap Ashley Judd in the face for being in this humongous turd of a movie.
1a. I Know Who Killed Me
So do we, Lindsay. It was you. Over and over and over and over and over again all year long. And just when we thought you couldn't possibly be any more of a pathetic mess - this movie came out. This horrible, pointless movie came out. There wasn't a single minute of this movie that I wasn't watching the screen with a totally disgusted look on my face. It was truly that bad.
Upon further review (I only rented the movie on New Year's Day 2008), the actual worst movie of 2007 is . . . . . .
Shoot Em Up
Be sure to check out my review of this putrid piece of cow dung on the video blog site.
Charlie Wilson's War
Charlie Wilson (Hanks) was a bachelor congressman from Texas who had a habit of showing up in hot tubs with strippers and cocaine. His exterior, however, masked an extraordinary mind, a deep sense of patriotism and a passion for the underdog, and in the early 1980s the underdog was Afghanistan—which had just invaded by the Russians. Charlie's longtime friend was Joanne Herring (Roberts), one of the wealthiest women in Texas and a big anti-communist. Believing the American response to the Russian invasion was anemic at best, she prods Charlie into doing more for the Mujahideen (Afghan freedom fighters). Charlie's partner in this uphill endeavor is CIA Agent Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman), a blue-collar operative in a company of Ivy League blue bloods. Together, the three of them—Charlie, Joanne and Gust—travel the world to form unlikely alliances among the Pakistanis, Israelis, Egyptians, arms dealers, law makers and a belly dancer.
I was pretty skeptical going in to this movie because I am not a big political thinker whatsoever. I figured that this would be one of those movies that I would know was well done and what not but basically not really care at all. I ended up really enjoying it. Tom Hanks was great (as always), the dialogue was excellent and Phillip Seymour Hoffman was phenomenal. Julia Roberts overall continued her road of not worth the hype, but played well against Hanks and Hoffman. The movie was very humorous but drove home a lot of thinking about how things went down years back.
I would recommend everyone checking this out. Its not to politically heavy, has great star power and performances and is worth the price of admission.
Juno
Juno stars Ellen Page as the title character, a wiseass teen confronting an unplanned pregnancy by her classmate Bleeker (Cera). With the help of her friend Leah (Thirlby), Juno finds her unborn child a "perfect" set of parents: an affluent suburban couple, Mark and Vanessa (Bateman and Garner), longing to adopt. Luckily, Juno has the total support of her parents (Simmons and Janney) as she faces some tough decisions, flirts with adulthood and ultimately figures out where she belongs.
This movie is a perfect example of what happens when you hear too much about a movie before seeing it. I found myself uncontrollably thinking that this movie wasn't as great as everyone had said it was the entire time. I thought that Ellen Page was great and some of her one-liners were hysterical, but that this was nowhere near top ten status like most critics said. It was cute. It was really funny for a while but then spiralled in to a big drama for a while and that sort of killed it for me.
I don't really know whether or not to recommend this movie because my opinion was definitely effected by all the rave reviews I had heard. It's quirky. It's cute at times. I just didn't think it was that great.
This movie is a perfect example of what happens when you hear too much about a movie before seeing it. I found myself uncontrollably thinking that this movie wasn't as great as everyone had said it was the entire time. I thought that Ellen Page was great and some of her one-liners were hysterical, but that this was nowhere near top ten status like most critics said. It was cute. It was really funny for a while but then spiralled in to a big drama for a while and that sort of killed it for me.
I don't really know whether or not to recommend this movie because my opinion was definitely effected by all the rave reviews I had heard. It's quirky. It's cute at times. I just didn't think it was that great.
Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem
In this follow-up to Alien vs. Predator, the monsters from two of the scariest film franchises ever, wage war in an American Midwestern town – with the residents caught in the middle.
Aliens and Predator were two of my favorite movies growing up. I was so psyched to see the original Alien Vs. Predator movie because I was a huge fan of the comic books. Ultimately, I ended up being pretty disappointed because of where it took place and what not and because the movie was rated PG-13. When I saw that they were making this one with it taking place in a town and that it was rated R, I thought I was finally going to get to see the version I wanted. OH MY GOD! I can't remember the last time that I was so disappointed in a movie. This movie was horrid! The script was one of the worst things ever written. The acting was so bad that I was rooting for all of them to get killed asap. Then there was how bad the interaction between the Aliens and the Predator was. They filmed every fight sequence in the dark so you basically had no clue what was actually going on. As for the desired gore that necessitated a R rating - there was no limit to the lengths that they went in this movie. The face hugger aliens attacking a little boy? The lead alien making pregnant women ingest the alien babies so they can then blow out their pregnant stomachs? How can they screw up such a simple concept so badly!?!
I wouldn't recommend that anyone check this piece of turd out. And that is coming from a huge Aliens and Predator fan.
Aliens and Predator were two of my favorite movies growing up. I was so psyched to see the original Alien Vs. Predator movie because I was a huge fan of the comic books. Ultimately, I ended up being pretty disappointed because of where it took place and what not and because the movie was rated PG-13. When I saw that they were making this one with it taking place in a town and that it was rated R, I thought I was finally going to get to see the version I wanted. OH MY GOD! I can't remember the last time that I was so disappointed in a movie. This movie was horrid! The script was one of the worst things ever written. The acting was so bad that I was rooting for all of them to get killed asap. Then there was how bad the interaction between the Aliens and the Predator was. They filmed every fight sequence in the dark so you basically had no clue what was actually going on. As for the desired gore that necessitated a R rating - there was no limit to the lengths that they went in this movie. The face hugger aliens attacking a little boy? The lead alien making pregnant women ingest the alien babies so they can then blow out their pregnant stomachs? How can they screw up such a simple concept so badly!?!
I wouldn't recommend that anyone check this piece of turd out. And that is coming from a huge Aliens and Predator fan.
The Kite Runner
Based on the acclaimed novel, The Kite Runner is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. It's a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament. But in the aftermath of the day's victory, one boy's fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban's iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right.
This book was one of the best books I've ever read and I couldn't wait to see the movie. It didn't disappoint me whatsoever even though I had really high expectations for it. Words do no justice to how rarely that happens when seeing movies for me. If someone was to not like this movie - I would say that they have no heart whatsoever. This movie, just like the book, did such an amazing job of helping people to understand a culture that our anger blinds us to. The way that they examine how the Taliban is viewed by those living if Afghanistan with them was excellent. It validates the "they aren't all bad" theory.
This movie should be considered a must see and is one of the best movies to come out in 2007.
National Treasure: Book Of Secrets
In this follow up to National Treasure, treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) once again sets out on an exhilarating, action-packed new global quest to unearth hidden history and treasures. When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben's great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's death. Determined to prove his ancestor's innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America. This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations – but to the trail of the world's most treasured secrets.
This movie was literally an extension of the original one. Its like a thinking man's Indiana Jones with not as much action, but you find yourself enjoying the adventure nonetheless (Drew 1993). If you liked the first one - you are sure to love this one just as much. The only real difference is that Helen Mirren is introduced as Ben's mother and the banter between her and his father (Jon Voight) is awesome. It wasn't as good as the one liners from Ben's sidekick (the best part of both National Treausre movies), but it was a close second.
I'd recommend people checking this movie out. Its an enjoyable adventure movie and worth the trip to the theaters.
This movie was literally an extension of the original one. Its like a thinking man's Indiana Jones with not as much action, but you find yourself enjoying the adventure nonetheless (Drew 1993). If you liked the first one - you are sure to love this one just as much. The only real difference is that Helen Mirren is introduced as Ben's mother and the banter between her and his father (Jon Voight) is awesome. It wasn't as good as the one liners from Ben's sidekick (the best part of both National Treausre movies), but it was a close second.
I'd recommend people checking this movie out. Its an enjoyable adventure movie and worth the trip to the theaters.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
America loves Cox! But behind the music is the up-and-down-and-up-again story of a musician whose songs would change a nation. On his rock 'n roll spiral, Cox sleeps with 411 women, marries three times, has 22 kids and 14 stepkids, stars in his own 70s TV show, collects friends ranging from Elvis to the Beatles to a chimp, and gets addicted to -- and then kicks -- every drug known to man... but despite it all, Cox grows into a national icon and eventually earns the love of a good woman -- longtime backup singer Darlene (Jenna Fischer).
Overall, this movie was incredibly silly. There were some really big laughs thoughout the movie though. The way that they satirize music from the 50s to the 70s is great. I especially enjoyed it because of how it mocked the fact that in every musician biographical movie, the superstar had to go on the drug ride. The scenes where Tim Meadows from SNL describes drugs to Dewey Cox were so funny I had tears rolling down my face from laughing. John Reilly has always done a phenomenal job in supporting performances in some really good comedies and it was nice to finally see him have a starring vehicle.
I'd recommend people check this movie out. There is no rush and its not a must see, but it has enough laughs to make your viewing of it worthwhile.
Overall, this movie was incredibly silly. There were some really big laughs thoughout the movie though. The way that they satirize music from the 50s to the 70s is great. I especially enjoyed it because of how it mocked the fact that in every musician biographical movie, the superstar had to go on the drug ride. The scenes where Tim Meadows from SNL describes drugs to Dewey Cox were so funny I had tears rolling down my face from laughing. John Reilly has always done a phenomenal job in supporting performances in some really good comedies and it was nice to finally see him have a starring vehicle.
I'd recommend people check this movie out. There is no rush and its not a must see, but it has enough laughs to make your viewing of it worthwhile.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who "shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again." Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge's wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli.
I know of the Sweeney Todd story, but never really saw the original movie or the broadway show. I still went in to this movie with really big expectations because there is no combination that I enjoy more in Hollywood than Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. These guys really can't do anything wrong when they work together. Their combined quirkiness gave this movie such a great, unexplainable feel to it. I was a little bit skeptical about it being a musical though. Musicals are like foreign movies with subtitles in that you can tell how good they are by how phased or non-phased you are by the subtitles. If you find yourself struggling to read and watch at the same time - the movie isn't that good. In a musical - if you find yourself following the movie along even though they are singing instead of talking, then its all good. This movie was able to do that perfectly. And at the risk of sounding like a total movie nerd - the cinematography and overall sound of this movie were phenomenal. There were definite points in the movie where the gore gets to you so be warned.
I would fully recommend everyone checking this out, especially if you are a Tim Burton fan. I truly enjoyed it and thinks its one of the best movies to come out this year.
I know of the Sweeney Todd story, but never really saw the original movie or the broadway show. I still went in to this movie with really big expectations because there is no combination that I enjoy more in Hollywood than Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. These guys really can't do anything wrong when they work together. Their combined quirkiness gave this movie such a great, unexplainable feel to it. I was a little bit skeptical about it being a musical though. Musicals are like foreign movies with subtitles in that you can tell how good they are by how phased or non-phased you are by the subtitles. If you find yourself struggling to read and watch at the same time - the movie isn't that good. In a musical - if you find yourself following the movie along even though they are singing instead of talking, then its all good. This movie was able to do that perfectly. And at the risk of sounding like a total movie nerd - the cinematography and overall sound of this movie were phenomenal. There were definite points in the movie where the gore gets to you so be warned.
I would fully recommend everyone checking this out, especially if you are a Tim Burton fan. I truly enjoyed it and thinks its one of the best movies to come out this year.
I Am Legend
Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a brilliant scientist, but even he could not contain the terrible virus that was unstoppable, incurable... and manmade. Somehow immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City... and maybe the world. But he is not alone. He is surrounded by "the Infected"—victims of the plague who have mutated into carnivorous beings who can only exist in the dark and who will devour or infect anyone or anything in their path. For three years, Neville has spent his days scavenging for food and supplies and faithfully sending out radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. All the while, the Infected lurk in the shadows, watching Neville's every move, waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind's last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But his blood is also what The Infected hunt, and Neville knows he is outnumbered and quickly running out of time.
Overall, I liked this movie. I actually liked it quite a lot. As far as I'm concerned there are two actors in Hollywood that truly can do no wrong . . . . . Tom Hanks and Will Smith. If Will Smith wasn't in this movie - it probably would have been horrible. Him and Hanks are the type of characters that are so commanding that you can actually watch just them for long periods of time and you are just as in to it as if it was some kind of a special effects summer blockbuster. This movie reminded me ALOT of Cast Away with Tom Hanks. Will Smith has that same kind of awesome presence. He's so good that even though his primary supporting actor is a dog - you end up caring about the dog. Speaking of which . . . . . SPOILER ALERT! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND - SKIP TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH. The dog that you come to completely care about dies. I only give that away because I feel that certain system shockers like that are better forewarned. It is heartbreaking and I really could have done without it.
The only knock that I'll make against this movie is what my good friend from another faith pointed out. That is that the movie seems to flip flop back and forth a little too much between what genre it wants to be. Is it a post-apocalyptic sci fi blockbuster? Is it a horror movie? Is it a psychological drama? There were a couple of times where the going back and forth made the movie drag a bit at times. Outside of that - it was a really good movie and again - Will Smith really can't do any wrong as far as I'm concerned. I would recommend people checking this out. I wouldn't bring young kids even though its rated PG-13 because there are some really scary parts in it. WW nearly shoved me out of my chair numerous times. She has this awesome thing with hitting or shoving me when she gets scared.
Overall, I liked this movie. I actually liked it quite a lot. As far as I'm concerned there are two actors in Hollywood that truly can do no wrong . . . . . Tom Hanks and Will Smith. If Will Smith wasn't in this movie - it probably would have been horrible. Him and Hanks are the type of characters that are so commanding that you can actually watch just them for long periods of time and you are just as in to it as if it was some kind of a special effects summer blockbuster. This movie reminded me ALOT of Cast Away with Tom Hanks. Will Smith has that same kind of awesome presence. He's so good that even though his primary supporting actor is a dog - you end up caring about the dog. Speaking of which . . . . . SPOILER ALERT! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND - SKIP TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH. The dog that you come to completely care about dies. I only give that away because I feel that certain system shockers like that are better forewarned. It is heartbreaking and I really could have done without it.
The only knock that I'll make against this movie is what my good friend from another faith pointed out. That is that the movie seems to flip flop back and forth a little too much between what genre it wants to be. Is it a post-apocalyptic sci fi blockbuster? Is it a horror movie? Is it a psychological drama? There were a couple of times where the going back and forth made the movie drag a bit at times. Outside of that - it was a really good movie and again - Will Smith really can't do any wrong as far as I'm concerned. I would recommend people checking this out. I wouldn't bring young kids even though its rated PG-13 because there are some really scary parts in it. WW nearly shoved me out of my chair numerous times. She has this awesome thing with hitting or shoving me when she gets scared.
Alvin & The Chimpmunks
Jason Lee stars as David Seville in the CG/live-action hybrid film, based on the 1950s cartoon series about chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore, who lay waste to Seville's surroundings and sing in three-part harmony.
This movie was pretty much exactly what you would have expected from the commercial. Its a cutesy family movie with the adults being somewhat entertained while the kids love it. The chipmunks are pretty cute and Jason Lee is perfect casting as Dave Seville, even if he has much more acting ability than he gets to put forth in this role. The only thing that is upsetting about this movie is that all children think that this is all some new/original idea and that it hasn't been around for 50 plus years. They keep talking about it like we don't know who Alvin & The Chimpmunks are. Come on now!
I would recommend anyone with kids checking this out. The kids will love it and it isn't too painful for the adults either.
This movie was pretty much exactly what you would have expected from the commercial. Its a cutesy family movie with the adults being somewhat entertained while the kids love it. The chipmunks are pretty cute and Jason Lee is perfect casting as Dave Seville, even if he has much more acting ability than he gets to put forth in this role. The only thing that is upsetting about this movie is that all children think that this is all some new/original idea and that it hasn't been around for 50 plus years. They keep talking about it like we don't know who Alvin & The Chimpmunks are. Come on now!
I would recommend anyone with kids checking this out. The kids will love it and it isn't too painful for the adults either.
The Golden Compass
Based on author Philip Pullman's novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. The Golden Compass is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers - and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.
Before reviewing this movie, I would like to address the church protesting this movie. STOP! All the church is doing is giving the movie more publicity and making people who probably wouldn't have bothered to go and see it now go and see it. The church is making money for the movie at this point . . . . just like with The DaVinci Code (both book and movie). Think about how the book was simply a book until the church went all bonkers and then it became the biggest selling book of all time. The church really needs to take in to account how there is no better press than negative press and if they really want to hurt something, issue one statement and leave it alone. Besides the fact that it is a FANTASY movie. Its not literal or factual in any way. Its some guy's creative material and the church is going all self-conscious and bringing so much more attention to something that would simply go away if left alone.
Now that I got that out of the way, I really enjoyed the movie. I had read the book and didn't think that they would be able to do a good job of transferring it to the screen. I was pleasantly surprised at how they were able to pull it off. The key to any good fantasy movie is character development. This movie did a great job of having Lyra meet each of the important supporting characters and then bring them all together for the awesome climatic battle scene. The only real problem that I had with the movie was that the movie ended soon after the big battle scene when there was still about 20-25 minutes left in accordance to the book. The actual bridge to the next book was left on the cutting room floor. I don't really know why this was done because it made the ending of the movie kind of abrupt when the movie was so well paced throughout. Regardless, this was a really enjoyable fantasy movie. Its nowhere near a Lord Of The Rings quality fantasy movie, but I would say its on par with The Chronicles Of Narnia for me.
I would recommend people checking this out (regardless of what the Catholic church thinks). If you like fantasy movies like this - its worth the price of admission.
Before reviewing this movie, I would like to address the church protesting this movie. STOP! All the church is doing is giving the movie more publicity and making people who probably wouldn't have bothered to go and see it now go and see it. The church is making money for the movie at this point . . . . just like with The DaVinci Code (both book and movie). Think about how the book was simply a book until the church went all bonkers and then it became the biggest selling book of all time. The church really needs to take in to account how there is no better press than negative press and if they really want to hurt something, issue one statement and leave it alone. Besides the fact that it is a FANTASY movie. Its not literal or factual in any way. Its some guy's creative material and the church is going all self-conscious and bringing so much more attention to something that would simply go away if left alone.
Now that I got that out of the way, I really enjoyed the movie. I had read the book and didn't think that they would be able to do a good job of transferring it to the screen. I was pleasantly surprised at how they were able to pull it off. The key to any good fantasy movie is character development. This movie did a great job of having Lyra meet each of the important supporting characters and then bring them all together for the awesome climatic battle scene. The only real problem that I had with the movie was that the movie ended soon after the big battle scene when there was still about 20-25 minutes left in accordance to the book. The actual bridge to the next book was left on the cutting room floor. I don't really know why this was done because it made the ending of the movie kind of abrupt when the movie was so well paced throughout. Regardless, this was a really enjoyable fantasy movie. Its nowhere near a Lord Of The Rings quality fantasy movie, but I would say its on par with The Chronicles Of Narnia for me.
I would recommend people checking this out (regardless of what the Catholic church thinks). If you like fantasy movies like this - its worth the price of admission.
August Rush
A charismatic young Irish guitarist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and a sheltered young cellist (Keri Russell) have a chance encounter one magical night above New York's Washington Square, but are soon torn apart, leaving in their wake an infant, orphaned by circumstance. Years later, performing on the streets of New York and cared for by a mysterious stranger (Robin Williams) who gives him the name August Rush, the child (Freddie Highmore) uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth.
Its kind of tough to review this movie. Ultimately, I ended up really liking it and it was a great feel good movie. The ending was beautifully crafted and brought together so well. Unfortunately, there were many points during the movie that I was bored out of my mind during. However, there was something that kept telling me to be patient and I'm very glad that I wasn't and didn't annoyingly start campaigning to pull the plug on the movie and go home. Freddie Highmore is a great child actor. He really makes you feel what he's going through excellently. Hell, I started thinking the people really were his parents.
I would recommend people checking this out. Its a feel good movie, but definitely be warned that its sometimes very slow paced. Its totally worth it in the end.
Its kind of tough to review this movie. Ultimately, I ended up really liking it and it was a great feel good movie. The ending was beautifully crafted and brought together so well. Unfortunately, there were many points during the movie that I was bored out of my mind during. However, there was something that kept telling me to be patient and I'm very glad that I wasn't and didn't annoyingly start campaigning to pull the plug on the movie and go home. Freddie Highmore is a great child actor. He really makes you feel what he's going through excellently. Hell, I started thinking the people really were his parents.
I would recommend people checking this out. Its a feel good movie, but definitely be warned that its sometimes very slow paced. Its totally worth it in the end.
Hitman
Agent 47 (Timothy Olyphant) has been educated to become a professional assassin for hire, whose most powerful weapons are his nerve and a resolute pride in his work. 47 is both the last two digits of the barcode tattooed on the nape of his neck, and his only name.The hunter becomes the hunted when 47 gets caught up in a political takeover. Both Interpol and the Russian military chase the Hitman across Eastern Europe as he tries to find out who set him up and why they're trying to take him out of the game. But the greatest threat to 47's survival may be the stirrings of his conscience and the unfamiliar emotions aroused in him by a beautiful, damaged girl...
I never played any of the Hitman video games so I can't really comment on this movie related to them. The movie standing alone was your run of the mill adrenaline/action movie. There were some good fight scenes. There was some cool locations. There was also some really bad acting. Timothy Olyphant was pretty good as Agent 47, but the female lead was beyond annoying and Dougray Scott as the detective chasing him apparantly went to David Caruso overacting school for this movie because every time he talked it was like watching CSI: Miami and I wanted to scream. The movie wasn't bad. It wasn't horrible either. It's a watchable action movie . . . . unless you are a huge fan of the game and then I don't really know what to say.
I'd vaguely recommend people checking this movie out. It might be a better rental saving you the money and travel time though.
I never played any of the Hitman video games so I can't really comment on this movie related to them. The movie standing alone was your run of the mill adrenaline/action movie. There were some good fight scenes. There was some cool locations. There was also some really bad acting. Timothy Olyphant was pretty good as Agent 47, but the female lead was beyond annoying and Dougray Scott as the detective chasing him apparantly went to David Caruso overacting school for this movie because every time he talked it was like watching CSI: Miami and I wanted to scream. The movie wasn't bad. It wasn't horrible either. It's a watchable action movie . . . . unless you are a huge fan of the game and then I don't really know what to say.
I'd vaguely recommend people checking this movie out. It might be a better rental saving you the money and travel time though.
Gone Baby Gone
Gone Baby Gone is Ben Affleck's directorial debut and is based on the novel from the acclaimed author of Mystic River. It is an intense look inside an ongoing investigation about the mysterious disappearance of a little girl. Two young private detectives (Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) are hired to take a closer look at the case and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will have to risk everything -- their relationship, their sanity, and even their lives -- to find a little girl-lost.
I don't really know what to think of this movie. It was just kind of treading water at points and then it was really good at other points. It wasn't great. It wasn't bad. It was just kind of there. It felt kind of like an episode of Without A Trace I guess. Casey Affleck was actually pretty good in the lead role. Considering that this was big brother Ben's first attempt at directing - he definitely could have done much worse. I also liked the open ended final message that sometimes doing the "right" thing can be the wrong thing.
I would lukewarmly recommend people checking this movie out. Again, its not really anything to write home about but the movie is nowhere near horrid either.
I don't really know what to think of this movie. It was just kind of treading water at points and then it was really good at other points. It wasn't great. It wasn't bad. It was just kind of there. It felt kind of like an episode of Without A Trace I guess. Casey Affleck was actually pretty good in the lead role. Considering that this was big brother Ben's first attempt at directing - he definitely could have done much worse. I also liked the open ended final message that sometimes doing the "right" thing can be the wrong thing.
I would lukewarmly recommend people checking this movie out. Again, its not really anything to write home about but the movie is nowhere near horrid either.
No Country For Old Men
The time is our own, when rustlers have given way to drug-runners and small towns have become free-fire zones.The story begins when Llewelyn Moss (Brolin) finds a pickup truck surrounded by a sentry of dead men. A load of heroin and two million dollars in cash are still in the back. When Moss takes the money, he sets off a chain reaction of catastrophic violence that not even the law - in the person of aging, disillusioned Sheriff Bell (Jones) - can contain. As Moss tries to evade his pursuers - in particular a mysterious mastermind who flips coins for human lives (Bardem) - the film simultaneously strips down the American crime drama and broadens its concerns to encompass themes as ancient as the Bible and as bloodily contemporary as this morning's headlines.
If I were a teacher grading this movie as a test, I would give it a 99% and be so annoyed that the director couldn't get the last two minutes of the movie right. This movie was awesome. I absolutely loved it. Javier Bardem as the hitman guy was the creepiest movie character since Hannibal Lecter. You found yourself hanging on his every word and every scene that he was in. The tension throughout the movie was awesome. I found myself dying to know how it was going to wrap up and then . . . . . it didn't. The movie ended with Tommy Lee Jones babbling about something and then the credits suddenly rolling. The whole audience let out a sigh of discontent. It was one of the biggest movie endings downers ever. The movie totally rocks and let just ended with no closure. So upsetting.
I would still recommend everyone checking this out just because of the phenomenal performance of Javier Bardem. He's my pick for Best Actor of the year for this bad boy role. Just be warned about the massive pile of crap ending scene.
If I were a teacher grading this movie as a test, I would give it a 99% and be so annoyed that the director couldn't get the last two minutes of the movie right. This movie was awesome. I absolutely loved it. Javier Bardem as the hitman guy was the creepiest movie character since Hannibal Lecter. You found yourself hanging on his every word and every scene that he was in. The tension throughout the movie was awesome. I found myself dying to know how it was going to wrap up and then . . . . . it didn't. The movie ended with Tommy Lee Jones babbling about something and then the credits suddenly rolling. The whole audience let out a sigh of discontent. It was one of the biggest movie endings downers ever. The movie totally rocks and let just ended with no closure. So upsetting.
I would still recommend everyone checking this out just because of the phenomenal performance of Javier Bardem. He's my pick for Best Actor of the year for this bad boy role. Just be warned about the massive pile of crap ending scene.
The Mist
Following a violent thunderstorm, artist David Drayton and a small town community come under vicious attack from creatures prowling in a thick and unnatural mist. Local rumors point to an experiment called the 'The Arrowhead Project' conducted at a nearby top-secret military base, but questions as to the origins of the deadly vapor are secondary to the group's overall chances for survival. Retreating to a local supermarket, Drayton and the survivors must face-off against each other before taking a united stand against an enemy they cannot even see!
This movie was a great psychological thriller. Granted, it had plenty of creepy critters and what not with the huge spiders, bugs, and tentacled thing. The real suspense in this movie comes from the characters psychological reactions to being in the position that they are in. They cover the full gambit of emotions so well and the development of mob mentality is so well done that you find yourself worrying about the people that they are stuck in the store with just as much as the aforementioned creatures on the outside in the mist. I had read the short story by Stephen King that this movie was based on and thought that it was translated to film and expanded on very well. The performances were very well done and convincing, especially Marica Gay Harden who played the role of religious speaker condemning those who go against her. Her acting was so good that I found myself truly hating her and had to keep reminding myself that she's just acting.
I would recommend that anyone who was interested in checking this out go and see it. Movies like this isn't really everyone's cup o' tea, but if it is - its definitely worth the trip to the theater.
This movie was a great psychological thriller. Granted, it had plenty of creepy critters and what not with the huge spiders, bugs, and tentacled thing. The real suspense in this movie comes from the characters psychological reactions to being in the position that they are in. They cover the full gambit of emotions so well and the development of mob mentality is so well done that you find yourself worrying about the people that they are stuck in the store with just as much as the aforementioned creatures on the outside in the mist. I had read the short story by Stephen King that this movie was based on and thought that it was translated to film and expanded on very well. The performances were very well done and convincing, especially Marica Gay Harden who played the role of religious speaker condemning those who go against her. Her acting was so good that I found myself truly hating her and had to keep reminding myself that she's just acting.
I would recommend that anyone who was interested in checking this out go and see it. Movies like this isn't really everyone's cup o' tea, but if it is - its definitely worth the trip to the theater.
Enchanted
A classic Disney fairytale collides with modern-day New York City in a story about a fairytale princess (Amy Adams) from the past who is thrust into present-day by an evil queen (Susan Sarandon). Soon after her arrival, Princess Giselle begins to change her views on life and love after meeting a handsome lawyer (Patrick Dempsey). Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?
This movie was actually a lot better than I had expected. I had taken Stinka to see this with two of her friends and figured that I would give it a shot and get a nice nap if it was poop. However, the movie was totally enjoyable for the kids because it follows all the textbook Disney princess stuff, but at the same time is poking fun at itself for the adults enjoyment. There were so many parts in this movie where Stinka and her friends were looking at me because I was laughing out loud at some of the great satirical scenes that were over their heads. I was very pleasantly surprised.
I would definitely recommend people take their kids to check this one out. Its just as enjoyable for the adults as the kids and its the perfect movie for the holidays.
This movie was actually a lot better than I had expected. I had taken Stinka to see this with two of her friends and figured that I would give it a shot and get a nice nap if it was poop. However, the movie was totally enjoyable for the kids because it follows all the textbook Disney princess stuff, but at the same time is poking fun at itself for the adults enjoyment. There were so many parts in this movie where Stinka and her friends were looking at me because I was laughing out loud at some of the great satirical scenes that were over their heads. I was very pleasantly surprised.
I would definitely recommend people take their kids to check this one out. Its just as enjoyable for the adults as the kids and its the perfect movie for the holidays.
Beowulf
In a time of heroes, the mighty warrior Beowulf slays the demon Grendel and incurs the wrath of its monstrous yet seductive mother, in a conflict that transforms a king into a legend. Beowulf is done with motion capture animation (a la The Polar Express) and features the voices of Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother, Anthony Hopkins as the corrupt King Hrothgar, and Ray Winstone as Beowulf.
We saw this movie in digital 3D and it made it more of an experience than a movie. The 3-D effects were phenomenal and there were numerous points where I actually leaned back to avoid what was flying at me. It felt like something you would see at Universal Studios or Disney World. Unfortunately, the movie itself was kind of lame. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have liked it at all if it wasn't for the 3D effects. Its one of those high profile movies that you find yourself wondering why they spent so much money making this. The voices were good, but I'm not really a big fan of this motion capture animation. Its makes the people (especially in this 500 A.D. time) look really creepy.
I would totally recommend anyone checking this out in digital or IMAX 3D. The experience is really cool. Outside of that, I wouldn't recommend this movie at all. And for those of you who think you can take kids to see this because its PG-13, you can't. Its way too violent and they push nudity to the limit as far as possible too.
We saw this movie in digital 3D and it made it more of an experience than a movie. The 3-D effects were phenomenal and there were numerous points where I actually leaned back to avoid what was flying at me. It felt like something you would see at Universal Studios or Disney World. Unfortunately, the movie itself was kind of lame. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have liked it at all if it wasn't for the 3D effects. Its one of those high profile movies that you find yourself wondering why they spent so much money making this. The voices were good, but I'm not really a big fan of this motion capture animation. Its makes the people (especially in this 500 A.D. time) look really creepy.
I would totally recommend anyone checking this out in digital or IMAX 3D. The experience is really cool. Outside of that, I wouldn't recommend this movie at all. And for those of you who think you can take kids to see this because its PG-13, you can't. Its way too violent and they push nudity to the limit as far as possible too.
Lions For Lambs
Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise star in Lions for Lambs, a story that digs behind the news, the politics and a nation divided to explore the human consequences of a complicated war. The story begins after two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian (Derek Luke) and Ernest (Michael Pena), follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley (Redford), and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student (Andrew Garfield) who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving (Cruise), is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist (Streep) that may affect Arian and Ernest’s fates. As arguments, memories and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact.
I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. I'm not remtoely a news/politics follower. I actually found myself feeling a lot like the student that Robert Redford was talking to during this movie because I tend to choose ignorance over having to deal with whats going on in the world and the propoganda that goes with it. I'm not one of those morons that hangs on to the latest happenings of Brittny Spears or the "tragic" death of Anna Nicole, but it simply depresses me to much to really follow all of the happenings that I tend to feel are in vain. Anywho - that's enough personal commentary. Let's get back to the movie. This movie was essentially two seperate converstaions going on while two troops are stuck under attack. I loved the back and forth of the conversations/stranded soldiers and it came together tighter as the movie went on. Even though I kind of felt like this movie was more of a public service announcement than a movie, I thought that it was very well done, written, and acted.
I would recommend people checking this out. It might not be a lot of peoples cup of tea, but it wasn't really mine either and I ended up liking it a lot.
I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. I'm not remtoely a news/politics follower. I actually found myself feeling a lot like the student that Robert Redford was talking to during this movie because I tend to choose ignorance over having to deal with whats going on in the world and the propoganda that goes with it. I'm not one of those morons that hangs on to the latest happenings of Brittny Spears or the "tragic" death of Anna Nicole, but it simply depresses me to much to really follow all of the happenings that I tend to feel are in vain. Anywho - that's enough personal commentary. Let's get back to the movie. This movie was essentially two seperate converstaions going on while two troops are stuck under attack. I loved the back and forth of the conversations/stranded soldiers and it came together tighter as the movie went on. Even though I kind of felt like this movie was more of a public service announcement than a movie, I thought that it was very well done, written, and acted.
I would recommend people checking this out. It might not be a lot of peoples cup of tea, but it wasn't really mine either and I ended up liking it a lot.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. In fact, it's a magic toy store and everything in it comes to life - including the store itself. The Emporium only asks one thing of its customers; you must believe it to see it.
This movie was essentially supposed to be Willy Wonka in a toy store instead of a chocolate factory. The big problem with that is that Dustin Hoffman was no Gene Wilder or even Johnny Depp in the remake of Chocolate Factory. From an adult standpoint, Hoffman as Magorium might go down in history as one of the most annoying movie characters ever. I honestly wanted to throw soda at the screen at certain points because his heinous overacting and how annoying his big bushy eyebrows and crazy hair was. This movie also managed to completely squander the acting talent of Natalie Portman (worst laugh ever in this movie as pointed out by Wonder Woman) and Jason Bateman. All of that being said - this is a kids movie and for whatever reason the future steppies enjoyed this movie. Therefore, this movie falls under that dreaded category of movies that the kids will love while the parents wish for pencils to stab themselves in the eyes and ears with.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone not willing to bite the bullet for their kids. Be warned, people! It's a pretty big bullet. Make sure that your children know the sacrifice that your optic nerves are making for them!
This movie was essentially supposed to be Willy Wonka in a toy store instead of a chocolate factory. The big problem with that is that Dustin Hoffman was no Gene Wilder or even Johnny Depp in the remake of Chocolate Factory. From an adult standpoint, Hoffman as Magorium might go down in history as one of the most annoying movie characters ever. I honestly wanted to throw soda at the screen at certain points because his heinous overacting and how annoying his big bushy eyebrows and crazy hair was. This movie also managed to completely squander the acting talent of Natalie Portman (worst laugh ever in this movie as pointed out by Wonder Woman) and Jason Bateman. All of that being said - this is a kids movie and for whatever reason the future steppies enjoyed this movie. Therefore, this movie falls under that dreaded category of movies that the kids will love while the parents wish for pencils to stab themselves in the eyes and ears with.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone not willing to bite the bullet for their kids. Be warned, people! It's a pretty big bullet. Make sure that your children know the sacrifice that your optic nerves are making for them!
Bee Movie
Bee Movie is a comedy that will change everything you think you know about bees. Having just graduated from college, a bee by the name of Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld) finds himself disillusioned with the prospect of having only one career choice – honey. As he ventures outside of the hive for the first time, he breaks one of the cardinal rules of the bee world and talks to a human, a New York City florist named Vanessa (Renée Zellweger). He is shocked to discover that the humans have been stealing and eating the bees' honey for centuries, and ultimately realizes that his true calling in life is to set the world right by suing the human race for stealing their precious honey.
This movie was nowhere near the excellency that is Shrek or most Pixar movies, but it still managed to be a very enjoyable animated movie for both kids and adults. There were some really big laughs and the animation scenes where the bees were flying was beyond amazing. I think the only thing that really bothered me about this movie was the year long non-stop hype for it because of Jerry Seinfeld. Clearly, there is a point when overexposure gets so annoying that it effects your level of enjoyment of something and I'm pretty sure that Seinfeld went about 1 million miles past that point with the hyping of this movie.
That being said, the movie is definitely worth the price of admission, has a great/short running time and is a great flick for both kids and parents to check out together.
This movie was nowhere near the excellency that is Shrek or most Pixar movies, but it still managed to be a very enjoyable animated movie for both kids and adults. There were some really big laughs and the animation scenes where the bees were flying was beyond amazing. I think the only thing that really bothered me about this movie was the year long non-stop hype for it because of Jerry Seinfeld. Clearly, there is a point when overexposure gets so annoying that it effects your level of enjoyment of something and I'm pretty sure that Seinfeld went about 1 million miles past that point with the hyping of this movie.
That being said, the movie is definitely worth the price of admission, has a great/short running time and is a great flick for both kids and parents to check out together.
Fred Claus
Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn) has lived almost his entire life in his little brother's very large shadow. Fred tried, but he could never live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas (Paul Giamatti), who was just a perfect... well... Saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a repo man who then steals what he repossesses. Now Fred's dirty dealings have landed him in jail. Over Mrs. Claus's objections, Nicholas agrees to bail his big brother out on one condition: that he come to the North Pole and work off his debt making toys. The trouble is that Fred isn't exactly elf material and, with Christmas fast approaching, this one bad seed could jeopardize the jolliest holiday of the year. Has Fred finally pushed his little brother to the brink? This time, what Fred may have stolen is Christmas itself, and it is going to take more than Rudolph to set things right.
This movie is to Vince Vaughn what Elf was to Will Ferrel. It is literally a holiday movie that is built around his personality. It enables him to be his talkative, sarcastic self in a holiday movie. I happen to think that Vince Vaughn is absolutely hysterical and I wasn't disappointed at all with this movie. The interaction with his mother and brother (Santa Claus) is awesome and there is a scene where he is in siblings anonymous with a bunch of brothers to famous people that was classic. Along with the overall funniness of the movie, there is also the gratuitous feel good holiday vibe going. The only problem I have with this is that I can't for the life of me figure out why Hollywood insists on releasing these movies so early in November. Its a shame that this movie will be long gone by the time Christmas comes around. I wish they would have waited until early December or something so that you could actually take in the holiday vibe more.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. Its got some big laughs, makes you feel good, and plants the seed for you to get excited about the holidays.
This movie is to Vince Vaughn what Elf was to Will Ferrel. It is literally a holiday movie that is built around his personality. It enables him to be his talkative, sarcastic self in a holiday movie. I happen to think that Vince Vaughn is absolutely hysterical and I wasn't disappointed at all with this movie. The interaction with his mother and brother (Santa Claus) is awesome and there is a scene where he is in siblings anonymous with a bunch of brothers to famous people that was classic. Along with the overall funniness of the movie, there is also the gratuitous feel good holiday vibe going. The only problem I have with this is that I can't for the life of me figure out why Hollywood insists on releasing these movies so early in November. Its a shame that this movie will be long gone by the time Christmas comes around. I wish they would have waited until early December or something so that you could actually take in the holiday vibe more.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. Its got some big laughs, makes you feel good, and plants the seed for you to get excited about the holidays.
American Gangster
Nobody used to notice Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the quiet driver to one of the inner city's leading black crime bosses. But when his boss suddenly dies, Frank exploits the opening in the power structure to build his own empire and create his own version of the American Dream. Through ingenuity and a strict business ethic, he comes to rule the inner-city drug trade, flooding the streets with a purer product at a better price. Lucas outplays all of the leading crime syndicates and becomes not only one of the city's mainline corrupters, but part of its circle of legit civic superstars. Richie Roberts (Russel Crowe) is an outcast cop close enough to the streets to feel a shift of control in the drug underworld. Roberts believes someone is climbing the rungs above the known Mafia families and starts to suspect that a black power player has come from nowhere to dominate the scene. Both Lucas and Roberts share a rigorous ethical code that sets them apart from their own colleagues, making them lone figures on opposite sides of the law. The destinies of these two men will become intertwined as they approach a confrontation where only one of them can come out on top.
I loved this movie. It was an awesome gangster/cops flick. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both put forth excellent performances. Ridley Scott did a great job of building up both main characters seperately for the first half of the movie, so that when the two sides did converge I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. Going in to the movie, I was pretty turned off by how long the movie was (2 1/2 hours), but the movie didn't remotely feel that long. This movie wasn't as good as The Departed was last year, but I could see this winning best picture this year just like that did last year.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking out this bad boy. Its more than worth the price of admission and will probably end up being one of the better movies to come out this year.
I loved this movie. It was an awesome gangster/cops flick. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both put forth excellent performances. Ridley Scott did a great job of building up both main characters seperately for the first half of the movie, so that when the two sides did converge I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. Going in to the movie, I was pretty turned off by how long the movie was (2 1/2 hours), but the movie didn't remotely feel that long. This movie wasn't as good as The Departed was last year, but I could see this winning best picture this year just like that did last year.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking out this bad boy. Its more than worth the price of admission and will probably end up being one of the better movies to come out this year.
Martian Child
Martian Child stars John Cusack as a recently widowed science fiction writer who forms an unlikely family with a close friend (Amanda Peet) and a young boy he adopts that claims to be from Mars. The new couple ignores some sage parenting advice from the widower's sister (Joan Cusack) and gets more than they bargained for when a series of strange occurrences lead them to believe that the child's claim may be true.
This movie is textbook formula movie. Its one of those where you basically saw the movie by watching the preview. Anyone who doesn't know how this bad boy is going to play out after seeing the commercial needs to be dragged out back and hit with the stupid stick, people! That being said, John Cusack happens to be my favorite actor and I have always found his delivery to be priceless and that alone made the movie worth the price of admission. The kid was actually pretty funny and had some great lines as well, and Joan Cusack and Amanda Peet both played off of John Cusack very well. I enjoyed the movie, but I could completely understand people thinking that the movie was so predictable and ultimately pointless.
I don't really know whether or not to recommend this movie. If you wanted to see, I think that you should. Just be warned that its just a long extension of the commercial.
This movie is textbook formula movie. Its one of those where you basically saw the movie by watching the preview. Anyone who doesn't know how this bad boy is going to play out after seeing the commercial needs to be dragged out back and hit with the stupid stick, people! That being said, John Cusack happens to be my favorite actor and I have always found his delivery to be priceless and that alone made the movie worth the price of admission. The kid was actually pretty funny and had some great lines as well, and Joan Cusack and Amanda Peet both played off of John Cusack very well. I enjoyed the movie, but I could completely understand people thinking that the movie was so predictable and ultimately pointless.
I don't really know whether or not to recommend this movie. If you wanted to see, I think that you should. Just be warned that its just a long extension of the commercial.
Saw IV
Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead. Now, upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm and Agent Perez, arrive in the terrified community to assist the veteran Detective Hoffman in sifting through Jigsaw's latest grizzly remains and piecing together the puzzle. However, when SWAT Commander Rigg is abducted and thrust into a game, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of demented traps and save an old friend or face the deadly consequences.
In general I'm not a big fan of these torture porn movies. They seem almost criminal to be made and the FBI should seriously be following the writers of these movies because one has to wonder what in the blue hell they are up to in their free time that is making them come up with this stuff. Its also beyond disturbing that these movies push the grotesque gore envelope so far that they end up desensitizing you to it. Whenever you get to a point where the guy falling on the chainsaw and wiggling all over the place is making you yawn because its not as bad as the blowtorch to the eye scene - there is a problem! That being said - I do like the actual story portion of the Saw franchise. While I found myself looking mostly at the design on the sides of the theaters or ceiling during many scenes in this movie, the story of how Jigsaw became Jigsaw and the detectives chasing after him was actually really good. I would actually say that this movie was the second best one after the original and it is pretty impressive that at the end of the movie you forget the massive, and I mean MASSIVE, gore and are replaying the movie in your head to figure out the switcheroo ending.
If you are a fan of these types of movies - this is a great one and you'll love it. Others who aren't in to these types of movies should stay far, far away.
In general I'm not a big fan of these torture porn movies. They seem almost criminal to be made and the FBI should seriously be following the writers of these movies because one has to wonder what in the blue hell they are up to in their free time that is making them come up with this stuff. Its also beyond disturbing that these movies push the grotesque gore envelope so far that they end up desensitizing you to it. Whenever you get to a point where the guy falling on the chainsaw and wiggling all over the place is making you yawn because its not as bad as the blowtorch to the eye scene - there is a problem! That being said - I do like the actual story portion of the Saw franchise. While I found myself looking mostly at the design on the sides of the theaters or ceiling during many scenes in this movie, the story of how Jigsaw became Jigsaw and the detectives chasing after him was actually really good. I would actually say that this movie was the second best one after the original and it is pretty impressive that at the end of the movie you forget the massive, and I mean MASSIVE, gore and are replaying the movie in your head to figure out the switcheroo ending.
If you are a fan of these types of movies - this is a great one and you'll love it. Others who aren't in to these types of movies should stay far, far away.
Dan In Real Life
Advice columnist Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is an expert on relationships, but somehow struggles to succeed as a brother, a son and a single parent in this heartfelt comedy.
I went in to this movie with some pretty moderate expectations. It seemed like the type of movie that had some funny things in the commercial but would inevitably spiral in to a drama that you totally weren't looking for by going to check this out. However, I was dead wrong. This movie was great. As for the comedy part of it - there were four or five scenes in this that had me laughing so hard I was crying. The family dynamics portrayed in this movie were great and even though you didn't get the chance to see them all develop individually, their interaction with the Steve Carell character was priceless. Steve Carell was spot on as always. He really is evolving in to a phenomenal all around actor. I truly enjoyed this movie.
I strongly recommend everyone checking this movie out. Its a great family movie and has some huge laughs.
I went in to this movie with some pretty moderate expectations. It seemed like the type of movie that had some funny things in the commercial but would inevitably spiral in to a drama that you totally weren't looking for by going to check this out. However, I was dead wrong. This movie was great. As for the comedy part of it - there were four or five scenes in this that had me laughing so hard I was crying. The family dynamics portrayed in this movie were great and even though you didn't get the chance to see them all develop individually, their interaction with the Steve Carell character was priceless. Steve Carell was spot on as always. He really is evolving in to a phenomenal all around actor. I truly enjoyed this movie.
I strongly recommend everyone checking this movie out. Its a great family movie and has some huge laughs.
Rendition
Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, Peter Sarsgaard and Alan Arkin star in Rendition, a thriller from director Gavin Hood ("Tsotsi"). Witherspoon stars as the American wife of an Egyptian-born chemical engineer who disappears on a flight from South Africa to Washington. The woman desperately tries to track her husband down, while a CIA analyst (Gyllenhaal) at a secret detention facility outside the U.S. is forced to question his assignment as he becomes party to the man's unorthodox interrogation.
This movie was an awesome political drama. I thought that it captured the government perfectly with how some lady sitting behind a desk can decide in the blink of an eye to have someone extradited to a different country because they think he might have some kind of information. The only thing that held this movie back from being a four star movie was the . . . . . . . SPOILER ALERT . . . . . . . fluffy happy ending. The husband ends up getting reunited with his family. Now, let's be serious for a moment. The guy gets an accidental cell phone call from a terrorist that the government is monitoring. The government picks the guy up from the airport and transports him to some prison in North Africa. They torture him endlessly for god knows how long. A CIA agent witnessing the interrogation feels its too much, frees him, and sends him home. COME ON NOW!!! You are telling me that the government would ever let this guy go!?! They would let someone exist with the knowledge of what they did!?! That's just plain silly. As cruel as it sounds to say - this movie would have been so much more legit if the guy would have gotten killed to cover it up or something. The sappy ending took away a lot for me and this movie would have been phenomenal without it.
Even with the sappy ending, the movie is still very enjoyable. The validity of it is kind of questionable, but it was a good political drama anywho. I would recommend people checking this out. It's worth the price of admission.
This movie was an awesome political drama. I thought that it captured the government perfectly with how some lady sitting behind a desk can decide in the blink of an eye to have someone extradited to a different country because they think he might have some kind of information. The only thing that held this movie back from being a four star movie was the . . . . . . . SPOILER ALERT . . . . . . . fluffy happy ending. The husband ends up getting reunited with his family. Now, let's be serious for a moment. The guy gets an accidental cell phone call from a terrorist that the government is monitoring. The government picks the guy up from the airport and transports him to some prison in North Africa. They torture him endlessly for god knows how long. A CIA agent witnessing the interrogation feels its too much, frees him, and sends him home. COME ON NOW!!! You are telling me that the government would ever let this guy go!?! They would let someone exist with the knowledge of what they did!?! That's just plain silly. As cruel as it sounds to say - this movie would have been so much more legit if the guy would have gotten killed to cover it up or something. The sappy ending took away a lot for me and this movie would have been phenomenal without it.
Even with the sappy ending, the movie is still very enjoyable. The validity of it is kind of questionable, but it was a good political drama anywho. I would recommend people checking this out. It's worth the price of admission.
30 Days Of Night
For 30 days every winter, the isolated town of Barrow, Alaska is plunged into a state of complete darkness. It's a bitter time when most of the inhabitants head south. This winter, a mysterious group of strangers appear: bloodthirsty vampires, ready to take advantage of the uninterrupted darkness to feed on the residents remaining in town. Barrow's Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett), his estranged wife Stella (Melissa George), and an ever-shrinking group of survivors must do anything they can to last until daylight.
Horror movies by design are usually ludicrous. Very rarely will you ever catch one with a legit story and what not so you kind of expect any sort of reality to be thrown out the window. However, you can't throw it so far out the window that it is millions of miles away. That was all I kept thinking with this movie. They are in Alaska . . . . . . for 30 days of night . . . . . with no electricity . . . . . . which would mean no heat . . . . . . for 30 days of night . . . . . in Alaska . . . . . and they need to worry about attacking vampires? I'm pretty sure that the mind numbing cold would have them done in about half way through night one, people! These people were running around outside for supplies and what not with nothing on their faces, no gloves, just all out hustle. Last time I checked, if I was to run down the block here in New York during the coldest day in winter, I would come close to passing out because of the weather making it impossible to breath. There was one point where one of the characters hid underneath a car . . . . . FOR FOUR DAYS! Again . . . . 30 days of night . . . . . in Alaska . . . . outdoors . . . . . with no food. The vampires are not the problem! You would be a human popsicle. To make things even sillier, these were some sort of ancient Roman vampires that spoke in all sorts of overdramatic, gladiator like terminology, did the most annoying screams when they weren't communicating all goth like, and looked like they were trying to constantly squeeze out a deuce. As if all of this wasn't silly enough - the movie completely spiraled out of control at the end with Josh Hartnett injecting himself with vampire tainted blood so that he could turn in to one of them and have this retardly delusional cage fight with the leader of the vampires. Spoiler Alert! . . . . he wins . . . but then he loses because he's now one of them and the 30 days of night is over. He flakes away to cigarette ashes in the arms of his estranged wife . . . . . . The end. No, I'm not kidding.
Stay away from this movie forever. It is truly horrendous and should never be viewed. It has to be one of the worst movies of this year.
Horror movies by design are usually ludicrous. Very rarely will you ever catch one with a legit story and what not so you kind of expect any sort of reality to be thrown out the window. However, you can't throw it so far out the window that it is millions of miles away. That was all I kept thinking with this movie. They are in Alaska . . . . . . for 30 days of night . . . . . with no electricity . . . . . . which would mean no heat . . . . . . for 30 days of night . . . . . in Alaska . . . . . and they need to worry about attacking vampires? I'm pretty sure that the mind numbing cold would have them done in about half way through night one, people! These people were running around outside for supplies and what not with nothing on their faces, no gloves, just all out hustle. Last time I checked, if I was to run down the block here in New York during the coldest day in winter, I would come close to passing out because of the weather making it impossible to breath. There was one point where one of the characters hid underneath a car . . . . . FOR FOUR DAYS! Again . . . . 30 days of night . . . . . in Alaska . . . . outdoors . . . . . with no food. The vampires are not the problem! You would be a human popsicle. To make things even sillier, these were some sort of ancient Roman vampires that spoke in all sorts of overdramatic, gladiator like terminology, did the most annoying screams when they weren't communicating all goth like, and looked like they were trying to constantly squeeze out a deuce. As if all of this wasn't silly enough - the movie completely spiraled out of control at the end with Josh Hartnett injecting himself with vampire tainted blood so that he could turn in to one of them and have this retardly delusional cage fight with the leader of the vampires. Spoiler Alert! . . . . he wins . . . but then he loses because he's now one of them and the 30 days of night is over. He flakes away to cigarette ashes in the arms of his estranged wife . . . . . . The end. No, I'm not kidding.
Stay away from this movie forever. It is truly horrendous and should never be viewed. It has to be one of the worst movies of this year.
Michael Clayton
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house "fixer" at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen's dirtiest work at the behest of the firm's co-founder Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack). Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture and mounting debt have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm. At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. But when Kenner Bach's brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) sabotages the U/North case, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life.
The first movie of this hour was brutal. I had no clue what was going on, was bored out of my mind because I truly find few things less mind numbing than corporate law stuff, and was ready to pull the plug on the movie based on this being one of those movies that you know is "good" but its just not your cup of tea. However, WW wanted to hold on and see how it turned out and I'm glad that she did because the second hour of the movie and especially the ending were great. George Clooney performed the internally conflicted role very well and the rising tension during the last hour was also very well done.
I would recommend people checking this one out, but please be warned that the first hour feels like a very choppy nap session. The wrap up of the movie makes it worth the trip to the theater though.
The first movie of this hour was brutal. I had no clue what was going on, was bored out of my mind because I truly find few things less mind numbing than corporate law stuff, and was ready to pull the plug on the movie based on this being one of those movies that you know is "good" but its just not your cup of tea. However, WW wanted to hold on and see how it turned out and I'm glad that she did because the second hour of the movie and especially the ending were great. George Clooney performed the internally conflicted role very well and the rising tension during the last hour was also very well done.
I would recommend people checking this one out, but please be warned that the first hour feels like a very choppy nap session. The wrap up of the movie makes it worth the trip to the theater though.
We Own The Night
Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) has turned his back on the family business. The popular manager of El Caribe, the legendary Russian-owned nightclub in Brooklyn's Brighton Beach, he has changed his last name and concealed his connection to a long line of distinguished New York cops. For Bobby, every night is a party, as he greets friends and customers or dances with his beautiful Puerto Rican girlfriend, Amada (Eva Mendes), in a haze of cigarette smoke and disco music. But it's 1988, and New York City's drug trade is escalating. Bobby tries to keep a friendly distance from the Russian gangster who is operating out of the nightclub – a gangster who is being targeted by his brother, Joseph (Mark Wahlberg), an up-and-coming NYPD officer, and his father, Burt (Robert Duvall), the legendary deputy chief of police.
I was so psyched to see this movie from the first time I saw the preview for it. It looked so much like last year's The Departed (the best movie of last year, people!). Unfortunately, I think I broke my most important of movie going roles and let my expectations get too high. I wasn't disappointed by this movie. I still really liked it a lot. Unfortunately, I definitely think that I could have seen this as one of the best movies of the year hands down if I didn't go in expecting it to be just that. Regardless of my expectations ramblings, this was a great film. The acting was top notch. Mark Wahlberg continues to get better with every role even though I still hum Good Vibrations a la Marky Mark every time I see him in a movie. Joaquin Phoenix continues to be phenomenal in everything that he does. The sibling rivalry between the two of them in the movie is excellently crafted along with the non-stop tension feeling.
I fully recommend that everyone checks this bad boy out. Even though I expected to see the best picture of the year and was disappointed, this movie was still totally worth the trip to check it out.
I was so psyched to see this movie from the first time I saw the preview for it. It looked so much like last year's The Departed (the best movie of last year, people!). Unfortunately, I think I broke my most important of movie going roles and let my expectations get too high. I wasn't disappointed by this movie. I still really liked it a lot. Unfortunately, I definitely think that I could have seen this as one of the best movies of the year hands down if I didn't go in expecting it to be just that. Regardless of my expectations ramblings, this was a great film. The acting was top notch. Mark Wahlberg continues to get better with every role even though I still hum Good Vibrations a la Marky Mark every time I see him in a movie. Joaquin Phoenix continues to be phenomenal in everything that he does. The sibling rivalry between the two of them in the movie is excellently crafted along with the non-stop tension feeling.
I fully recommend that everyone checks this bad boy out. Even though I expected to see the best picture of the year and was disappointed, this movie was still totally worth the trip to check it out.
Eastern Promises
The mysterious and charismatic Russian-born Nikolai Luzhin (Mortensen) is a driver for one of London's most notorious organized crime families of Eastern European origin. The family itself is part of the Vory V Zakone criminal brotherhood. Headed by Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl), whose courtly charm as the welcoming proprietor of the plush Trans-Siberian restaurant impeccably masks a cold and brutal core, the family's fortunes are tested by Semyon's volatile son and enforcer, Kirill (Vincent Cassel), who is more tightly bound to Nikolai than to his own father. But Nikolai's carefully maintained existence is jarred once he crosses paths at Christmastime with Anna Khitrova (Naomi Watts), a midwife at a North London hospital. Anna is deeply affected by the desperate situation of a young teenager who dies while giving birth to a baby. Anna resolves to try to trace the baby's lineage and relatives. The girl's personal diary also survives her; it is written in Russian, and Anna seeks answers in it. Anna's mother Helen (Sinead Cusack) does not discourage her, but Anna's irascible Russian-born uncle Stepan (Jerzy Skolimowski) urges caution. He is right to do so; by delving into the diary, Anna has accidentally unleashed the full fury of the Vory.
Let's just get out of the way that you should know before going in to this that there is a crazy knife fight in which Viggo Mortensen is butt naked. I mean like the fight scene from Borat with knives, people! I just thought I'd warn my peeps about this before discussing the movie. That being out of the way now, the movie was actually very well done. It's not really a mainstream movie though. Its an artsy drama about the mob with good performances by all included. There are a couple of really violent scenes (including the aforementioned naked fight scene), but its mostly a character drama besides that. This is one of those movies that has a lot of tension built in throughout the movie, but no big end point where its all released. The tension is simply properly directed to keep your attention throughout the movie. There was one thing that I just couldn't get out of my head during this movie. Does every son of a mob boss have to be such a out of control dumbass? In every mob movie or television show - the son is always the stupidest guy in the world. What's that about?
I'd recommend people checking this one out if they were interested by the commercial for it. Just be warned that its a artsy type movie and this may disappoint a lot of people who are looking forward to some big wham bam type ending that doesn't happen.
Let's just get out of the way that you should know before going in to this that there is a crazy knife fight in which Viggo Mortensen is butt naked. I mean like the fight scene from Borat with knives, people! I just thought I'd warn my peeps about this before discussing the movie. That being out of the way now, the movie was actually very well done. It's not really a mainstream movie though. Its an artsy drama about the mob with good performances by all included. There are a couple of really violent scenes (including the aforementioned naked fight scene), but its mostly a character drama besides that. This is one of those movies that has a lot of tension built in throughout the movie, but no big end point where its all released. The tension is simply properly directed to keep your attention throughout the movie. There was one thing that I just couldn't get out of my head during this movie. Does every son of a mob boss have to be such a out of control dumbass? In every mob movie or television show - the son is always the stupidest guy in the world. What's that about?
I'd recommend people checking this one out if they were interested by the commercial for it. Just be warned that its a artsy type movie and this may disappoint a lot of people who are looking forward to some big wham bam type ending that doesn't happen.
The Heartbreak Kid
Single and indecisive, Eddie (Ben Stiller) begins dating the incredibly sexy and seemingly fabulous Lila. Upon the urging of his father and best friend, Eddie proposes to her after only a week, fearing this may be his last chance at love, marriage, and happiness. However, while on their honeymoon in sunny Mexico, Lila reveals her true beyond-awful nature and Eddie meets Miranda, the woman he realizes to be his actual soul mate. Eddie must keep his new, increasingly horrid wife at bay as he attempts to woo the girl of his dreams.
There were some really big laughs in this movie. However, the absolute funniest part of the movie was the guy sitting two rows in front of me. You know how sometimes you laugh harder at things because of how much someone else is enjoying it? This guy had me crying because of how hard he was laughing at the movie. He definitely made it more enjoyable than it was. That's not to say that the movie wasn't funny on its own. It definitely was. I love watching Ben Stiller's facial reactions. They truly are priceless. This being a Farrely Brothers movie though, there are a few mind blowing sight gags that push the envelope big time. There is one that rivals the caught in the zipper scene from There's Something About Mary that makes you cringe beyond belief and laugh only because of how totally uncomfortable you've become. Be sure to never let kids anywhere near this movie! Besides that and the couple of over the top sex scenes, the movie is pretty funny. They didn't need to push the sex envelope so much, but that seems to unfortunately be the new Hollywood trend. The movie was plenty funny without it and I think that stuff like that held the movie back somewhat.
I'd recommend people checking this out if they want a good laugh. Just take heed about some of the over the top stuff and keep kids as far away from this as possible.
There were some really big laughs in this movie. However, the absolute funniest part of the movie was the guy sitting two rows in front of me. You know how sometimes you laugh harder at things because of how much someone else is enjoying it? This guy had me crying because of how hard he was laughing at the movie. He definitely made it more enjoyable than it was. That's not to say that the movie wasn't funny on its own. It definitely was. I love watching Ben Stiller's facial reactions. They truly are priceless. This being a Farrely Brothers movie though, there are a few mind blowing sight gags that push the envelope big time. There is one that rivals the caught in the zipper scene from There's Something About Mary that makes you cringe beyond belief and laugh only because of how totally uncomfortable you've become. Be sure to never let kids anywhere near this movie! Besides that and the couple of over the top sex scenes, the movie is pretty funny. They didn't need to push the sex envelope so much, but that seems to unfortunately be the new Hollywood trend. The movie was plenty funny without it and I think that stuff like that held the movie back somewhat.
I'd recommend people checking this out if they want a good laugh. Just take heed about some of the over the top stuff and keep kids as far away from this as possible.
The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising
Based on the acclaimed novel, The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising tells the story of Will Stanton, a young man who learns he is the last of a group of warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the Dark. Traveling back and forth through time, Will hunts for a series of mysterious clues and encounters forces of unimaginable evil. With the Dark once again rising, the future of the world rests in Will's hands.
This movie is another one of the rush to adapt any best selling children's book series. Every studio is looking for the next Harry Potter or Chronicles Of Narnia. Its become one of the most recent hollywood fads. There are the better than average ones like Charlotte's Web, Eragon and Lemony Snicket and then there are the ones that are just kind of thrown out there. The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising is unfortunately one of the latter. Its not that the movie was horrible. It just seemed like the proper amount of effort that it deserved wasn't given and that the studio just rushed it, both in story and effects, and threw it out there. The movie is somewhat watchable but nowhere near as good as it could have been. To make it a little bit tougher to swallow, the story is pretty much over the head of the youngsters who are supposed to make up the core audience.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone checking this bad boy out in theaters. You're better off just waiting for it to hit the video store.
This movie is another one of the rush to adapt any best selling children's book series. Every studio is looking for the next Harry Potter or Chronicles Of Narnia. Its become one of the most recent hollywood fads. There are the better than average ones like Charlotte's Web, Eragon and Lemony Snicket and then there are the ones that are just kind of thrown out there. The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising is unfortunately one of the latter. Its not that the movie was horrible. It just seemed like the proper amount of effort that it deserved wasn't given and that the studio just rushed it, both in story and effects, and threw it out there. The movie is somewhat watchable but nowhere near as good as it could have been. To make it a little bit tougher to swallow, the story is pretty much over the head of the youngsters who are supposed to make up the core audience.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone checking this bad boy out in theaters. You're better off just waiting for it to hit the video store.
The Game Plan
The Game Plan tells the story of rugged superstar quarterback Joe Kingman (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), whose Boston-based team is chasing a championship. Kingman is living the ultimate fantasy: he's rich, famous and the life of the party. But this dream is suddenly sacked for a loss when he discovers the 7-year-old daughter (Madison Pettis) he never knew he had – the product of a last fling before parting years ago with his young wife. Now, during the most important time in his career, he must figure out how to juggle his parties, practices and dates with the newfound ballet classes, bedtime stories and dolls that come with his daughter. Despite the often hilarious misadventures that come with being a new father, Joe discovers that's there's more to life than money, endorsements and thousands of adoring fans: the love and care of one very special small fan is the only thing that matters.
This is one of those textbook action movie actor tries to do a cutesy family movie type deals. Its like Arnold with Kindergarden Cop or Vin Diesel with The Pacifier. It is by no means a well done movie. It's totally corny, predictable and goes way over the top pulling heart strings. All that being said, these are always my favorite movies to take the steppies to. Stinka loves these kinds of movies and therefore, so do I. As silly and formula as these movies are - I would trade a thousand best picture viewings for one of these movies where the family walks out feeling glad that they saw this together.
I would recommend this movie to families or those going with kids. Its not a good movie in terms of quality but its a great movie to leave feeling good about enjoying time with the kids.
This is one of those textbook action movie actor tries to do a cutesy family movie type deals. Its like Arnold with Kindergarden Cop or Vin Diesel with The Pacifier. It is by no means a well done movie. It's totally corny, predictable and goes way over the top pulling heart strings. All that being said, these are always my favorite movies to take the steppies to. Stinka loves these kinds of movies and therefore, so do I. As silly and formula as these movies are - I would trade a thousand best picture viewings for one of these movies where the family walks out feeling glad that they saw this together.
I would recommend this movie to families or those going with kids. Its not a good movie in terms of quality but its a great movie to leave feeling good about enjoying time with the kids.
Resident Evil: Extinction
Resident Evil: Extinction is based on the wildly popular video game series and picks up where the last film left off. Alice (Milla Jovovich), now in hiding in the Nevada desert, once again joins forces with Carlos Olivera (Oded Fehr) and L.J. (Mike Epps), along with new survivors Claire (Ali Larter), K-Mart (Spencer Locke) and Nurse Betty (Ashanti) to try to eliminate the deadly virus that threatens to make every human being undead... and to seek justice. Since being captured by the Umbrella Corporation, Alice has been subjected to biogenic experimentation and becomes genetically altered, with super-human strengths, senses and dexterity. These skills, and more, will be needed if anyone is to remain alive.
This whole franchise is basically an excuse to make zombie movies. They try to sugar coat it with a sci-fi type storyline, but it just about the zombies and surviving. That being said, I thought that this one was much lamer than the prior two. It started off very silly with the dog fight scene. I really don't understand this franchises' obsession with blood slicked dogs. It got a little better in the middle. Zombie birds? Did they really have to do that? Do you have any idea how birds petrify me? I couldn't even look at certain points with that. However, the movie went right back in to the toilet of silliness at the end again ruining whatever slight okayness that it might have built up in the middle . . . . . and was of course left open for a fourth installment. Lord have mercy on us.
I wouldn't recommend anyone checking this out. It was your less than average, fun of the mill zombie movie and not really worth the time. You are much better off staying away, people!
This whole franchise is basically an excuse to make zombie movies. They try to sugar coat it with a sci-fi type storyline, but it just about the zombies and surviving. That being said, I thought that this one was much lamer than the prior two. It started off very silly with the dog fight scene. I really don't understand this franchises' obsession with blood slicked dogs. It got a little better in the middle. Zombie birds? Did they really have to do that? Do you have any idea how birds petrify me? I couldn't even look at certain points with that. However, the movie went right back in to the toilet of silliness at the end again ruining whatever slight okayness that it might have built up in the middle . . . . . and was of course left open for a fourth installment. Lord have mercy on us.
I wouldn't recommend anyone checking this out. It was your less than average, fun of the mill zombie movie and not really worth the time. You are much better off staying away, people!
Sydney White
In a college comedy that puts a modern-day twist on an age-old story, Sydney White tells the tale of a tomboy freshman who ditches her conniving sorority sisters and finds a new home with a group of very dorky outcasts. Fed up with the way they've all been treated, she's off to war against the reigning campus royalty. Sydney White (Amanda Bynes) has come to Southern Atlantic University to pledge her late mom's once-dignified sorority. But while surviving the pledging process wrought by evil campus witch Rachel (Sara Paxton), Syd finds out this version of sisterhood isn't remotely what it's cracked up to be. Banished to a condemned house on Greek Row, Syd finds her rightful place with a band of seven very socially challenged guys. With the help of one lovestruck frat boy named Tyler (Matt Long), she and the doofs campaign to take over student government. Fighting for the rights of misfits big and small, Syd organizes her gang to revolutionize the system, once and for all.
This is your textbook teeny bopper type movie. Amanda Bynes continues to take the kind of roles that I bet Lyndsay Lohan never moved on from and does them much better than Lohan or any of the other teeny bopper actresses. She has great facial humor and some pretty good comedic delivery. I'm quite appreciative for this since it makes seeing movies like that with my stepdaughter much more digestible. Honestly - the only opinion that matters is the Stinka's and she seemed to really like it. That alone makes it worth the trip to theaters.
I would recommend anyone with daughters checking this one out. It is based in a college and contains some partying like scenes that some adults may not be a big fan of but other than that it was a pretty decent view that the little ones would like.
This is your textbook teeny bopper type movie. Amanda Bynes continues to take the kind of roles that I bet Lyndsay Lohan never moved on from and does them much better than Lohan or any of the other teeny bopper actresses. She has great facial humor and some pretty good comedic delivery. I'm quite appreciative for this since it makes seeing movies like that with my stepdaughter much more digestible. Honestly - the only opinion that matters is the Stinka's and she seemed to really like it. That alone makes it worth the trip to theaters.
I would recommend anyone with daughters checking this one out. It is based in a college and contains some partying like scenes that some adults may not be a big fan of but other than that it was a pretty decent view that the little ones would like.
The Kingdom
When a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. While diplomats slowly debate equations of territorialism, FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) quickly assembles an elite team (Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman) and negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind the bombing. Upon landing in the desert kingdom, however, Fleury and his team discover Saudi authorities suspicious and unwelcoming of American interlopers into what they consider a local matter. Hamstrung by protocol—and with the clock ticking on their five days—the FBI agents find their expertise worthless without the trust of their Saudi counterparts, who want to locate the terrorist in their homeland on their own terms. Fleury’s crew finds a like-minded partner in Saudi Colonel Al-Ghazi (Ashraf Barhoum), who helps them navigate royal politics and unlock the secrets of the crime scene and the workings of an extremist cell bent on further destruction.
This movie was amazing! The direction was perfect as the level of tension was so high from the first scene that you don't look at your watch once and manage to fight off any urge to go to the bathroom or get a soda refill. The acting performances were phenomenal. Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper (still the most underrated actor in Hollywood) were great as always. Jennifer Garner was surprisingly unannoying and Jason Bateman was hysterical. I am so glad to see Bateman back in mainstream acting again. I never understood how he fell off the face of the planet for a couple of years because he has always had some of the most perfect sarcasm delivery. They were all so well developed, even the Saudi Arabian cop, that you find yourself truly caring what happens to them. On top of all this - the movie really makes you think and could go a long way towards opening people's eyes to what really is going on over there and erasing some of that "kill them all" mentality.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more. It is a definite must see and will certainly end up as one of my top ten movies of 2007.
This movie was amazing! The direction was perfect as the level of tension was so high from the first scene that you don't look at your watch once and manage to fight off any urge to go to the bathroom or get a soda refill. The acting performances were phenomenal. Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper (still the most underrated actor in Hollywood) were great as always. Jennifer Garner was surprisingly unannoying and Jason Bateman was hysterical. I am so glad to see Bateman back in mainstream acting again. I never understood how he fell off the face of the planet for a couple of years because he has always had some of the most perfect sarcasm delivery. They were all so well developed, even the Saudi Arabian cop, that you find yourself truly caring what happens to them. On top of all this - the movie really makes you think and could go a long way towards opening people's eyes to what really is going on over there and erasing some of that "kill them all" mentality.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more. It is a definite must see and will certainly end up as one of my top ten movies of 2007.
The Brave One
New York radio host Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) has a life that she loves and a fiancé she adores. All of it is taken from her when a brutal attack leaves Erica badly wounded and her fiancé dead. Unable to move past the tragedy, Erica begins prowling the city streets at night to track down the men she holds responsible. Her dark pursuit of justice catches the public's attention, and the city is riveted by her anonymous exploits. But with the NYPD desperate to find the culprit and a dogged police detective (Terrence Howard) hot on her trail, she must decide whether her quest for revenge is truly the right path, or if she is becoming the very thing she is trying to stop.
This movie was essentially The Punisher . . . . . . with a woman. They could have called it The Punisherette. Woman gets attacked, loses her fiance', gets mad at the world and the police for not making it safe, and takes matters in to her own hands. It was all totally formula and you knew the ending before the movie even started. That being said - the movie was still very watchable/enjoyable. Jodie Foster did a good job of portraying her downward spiral in to darkness. However, wouldn't it be nice to see Jodie Foster just be happy in an acting role? What is the deal with her always being under attack or victimized in some way in every role she chooses? It's like getting raped in The Accused or having to deal with Hannibal Lecter really messed her up or something. Anywho, getting back to the movie now - it was well done enough that you end up being okay with the totally formula storyline.
I would recommend people checking this out. It is not a must see by any means, but worth the trip if you were interested in seeing it.
This movie was essentially The Punisher . . . . . . with a woman. They could have called it The Punisherette. Woman gets attacked, loses her fiance', gets mad at the world and the police for not making it safe, and takes matters in to her own hands. It was all totally formula and you knew the ending before the movie even started. That being said - the movie was still very watchable/enjoyable. Jodie Foster did a good job of portraying her downward spiral in to darkness. However, wouldn't it be nice to see Jodie Foster just be happy in an acting role? What is the deal with her always being under attack or victimized in some way in every role she chooses? It's like getting raped in The Accused or having to deal with Hannibal Lecter really messed her up or something. Anywho, getting back to the movie now - it was well done enough that you end up being okay with the totally formula storyline.
I would recommend people checking this out. It is not a must see by any means, but worth the trip if you were interested in seeing it.
3:10 To Yuma
In Arizona in the late 1800's, infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) and his vicious gang of thieves and murderers have plagued the Southern Railroad. When Wade is captured, Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Bale), struggling to survive on his drought-plagued ranch, volunteers to deliver him alive to the "3:10 to Yuma", a train that will take the killer to trial. On the trail, Evans and Wade, each from very different worlds, begin to earn each other's respect. But with Wade's outfit on their trail – and dangers at every turn – the mission soon becomes a violent, impossible journey toward each man's destiny.
I've never really been a big fan of Westerns. I can't really put my finger on why and have just accepted it as part of my movie watching preferences. Maybe its because in today's world or special effects I don't find anything that tension filled about chasing each other on horses and what not. However, I really enjoyed this movie. The best part of it was how the director was able to build an awesome amount of aforementioned tension that made you hang on to every scene. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale were both great and the movie was so well paced that you really didn't feel like you were sitting there for two hours at all. I only had one big knock on the movie but can't say too much about it without giving it away. I can't help but wonder why someone would be in a crazy gun fight for a good twenty minutes and then turn their back to chat with the shooting still going on.
I strongly recommend that everyone check this bad boy out. It's well worth the trip to the theaters and is definitely one of the better things out there right now.
I've never really been a big fan of Westerns. I can't really put my finger on why and have just accepted it as part of my movie watching preferences. Maybe its because in today's world or special effects I don't find anything that tension filled about chasing each other on horses and what not. However, I really enjoyed this movie. The best part of it was how the director was able to build an awesome amount of aforementioned tension that made you hang on to every scene. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale were both great and the movie was so well paced that you really didn't feel like you were sitting there for two hours at all. I only had one big knock on the movie but can't say too much about it without giving it away. I can't help but wonder why someone would be in a crazy gun fight for a good twenty minutes and then turn their back to chat with the shooting still going on.
I strongly recommend that everyone check this bad boy out. It's well worth the trip to the theaters and is definitely one of the better things out there right now.
Death Sentence
Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses/experiences something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.
I really liked this movie. Its hard to explain why. Its kind of like those old Steven Segal movies. You know that they are not good movies and are totally formula from beginning to end, but you still love them anyway. I guess that this movie hit a nerve with me because I have grown to be beyond disenchanted with the way our judicial system works, and this movie exploits that totally with how a person can kill someone and get 3 to 5 years for "copping a plea". Basically Kevin Bacon says screw the system and goes after the guy vengeance style. Things snowball out of control from there and while some of the scenes are shockingly gruesome - this is one of those movie going experiences where you don't have to think at all and can simply enjoy the testosterone filled ride.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. It was a classic action/vengeance movie and WW and I enjoyed it a lot.
I really liked this movie. Its hard to explain why. Its kind of like those old Steven Segal movies. You know that they are not good movies and are totally formula from beginning to end, but you still love them anyway. I guess that this movie hit a nerve with me because I have grown to be beyond disenchanted with the way our judicial system works, and this movie exploits that totally with how a person can kill someone and get 3 to 5 years for "copping a plea". Basically Kevin Bacon says screw the system and goes after the guy vengeance style. Things snowball out of control from there and while some of the scenes are shockingly gruesome - this is one of those movie going experiences where you don't have to think at all and can simply enjoy the testosterone filled ride.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. It was a classic action/vengeance movie and WW and I enjoyed it a lot.
Halloween
From Rob Zombie comes an entirely new take on the highly successful and terrifying Halloween legacy that began in 1978. While revealing a new chapter in the established Michael Myers saga, the film will surprise both classic and modern horror fans with a departure from prior films in the Halloween franchise. Zombie turns back time to uncover the making of a pathologically disturbed, even cursed child named Michael Myers.
I really don't understand Hollywood's fascination with remaking things lately. It's gotten completely out of control. This movie is yet another venture in to the totally pointless. The original Halloween was in my opinion the best of those slasher movies. I always thought Michael Myers was a thousand times better than Freddy or Jason or Leatherhead. The original Halloween, Halloween II and Halloween IV were all great scary movies. The franchise got beyond beaten to death and now comes a total "revamping" of the original story. The only difference between this movie and the original was that you found out that Michael's stepfather was a loudmouthed loser and his mom was a stripper. On top of that, Rob Zombie decided to go the rout of needless gore, the most massive amount of F bombs I've ever heard and random exposed breasts instead of any sort of scary moments or good fear buildup whatsoever. Its pretty sad when I'm totally desensitized to the fact that someone gets their throat slit because there is no suspense and basically I just don't care by the time it happens. I might have jumped once and found myself pretty bored and ready to pull the plug about half way through the movie.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone bothering to check this one out. Its a shame because the original Halloween really is a classic and this one could have made it better but instead white trashed it.
I really don't understand Hollywood's fascination with remaking things lately. It's gotten completely out of control. This movie is yet another venture in to the totally pointless. The original Halloween was in my opinion the best of those slasher movies. I always thought Michael Myers was a thousand times better than Freddy or Jason or Leatherhead. The original Halloween, Halloween II and Halloween IV were all great scary movies. The franchise got beyond beaten to death and now comes a total "revamping" of the original story. The only difference between this movie and the original was that you found out that Michael's stepfather was a loudmouthed loser and his mom was a stripper. On top of that, Rob Zombie decided to go the rout of needless gore, the most massive amount of F bombs I've ever heard and random exposed breasts instead of any sort of scary moments or good fear buildup whatsoever. Its pretty sad when I'm totally desensitized to the fact that someone gets their throat slit because there is no suspense and basically I just don't care by the time it happens. I might have jumped once and found myself pretty bored and ready to pull the plug about half way through the movie.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone bothering to check this one out. Its a shame because the original Halloween really is a classic and this one could have made it better but instead white trashed it.
The Nanny Diaries
The Nanny Diaries tells the story of the emotional and humorous journey of Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson), a young woman from a working-class neighborhood in New Jersey, struggling to understand her place in the world. Fresh out of college, she gets tremendous pressure from her nurse mother to find a respectable position in the business world although Annie would prefer to trade in her blackberry for an anthropologist's field diary. Through a serendipitous meeting, Annie ends up in the elite and ritualistic culture of Manhattan's Upper East Side -- as remote from Annie's suburban New Jersey upbringing as life in an Amazon tribal village. Choosing to duck out of real life, Annie accepts the position as a nanny for a wealthy family, referred to as simply "the X's." She quickly learns that life is not very rosy on the other side of the tax bracket, as she must cater to the every whim of Mrs. X (Laura Linney) and her precocious son Grayer, while attempting to avoid the formidable Mr. X (Paul Giamatti). Life becomes even more complicated when Annie falls for a Park Avenue guy (Chris Evans), and she's forced to explore her identity as never before.
I had read the book for this movie and had really liked it due to my experience working in day care. It really captures that whole absent parent thing incredibly well. This movie was basically Devil Wears Prada meets day care. At one point, I even noticed one of the extras reading a copy of Devil Wears Prada. Weird. Anywho - I enjoyed this movie. I loved the narration throughout the movie and the way that they were comparing society to exhibits in a museum was great. Laura Linney is awesome as always and this was one of Johansson's better roles I think.
I would recommend checking this movie out. As the summer winds down, this will probably be one of the more enjoyable movies out there as the studios bombard us with a bunch of rancid turds.
I had read the book for this movie and had really liked it due to my experience working in day care. It really captures that whole absent parent thing incredibly well. This movie was basically Devil Wears Prada meets day care. At one point, I even noticed one of the extras reading a copy of Devil Wears Prada. Weird. Anywho - I enjoyed this movie. I loved the narration throughout the movie and the way that they were comparing society to exhibits in a museum was great. Laura Linney is awesome as always and this was one of Johansson's better roles I think.
I would recommend checking this movie out. As the summer winds down, this will probably be one of the more enjoyable movies out there as the studios bombard us with a bunch of rancid turds.
Mr. Bean's Holiday
In his latest misadventure, Mr. Bean goes on holiday to the French Riviera and becomes ensnared in a European adventure of cinematic proportions. Tired of the dreary, wet London weather, Bean packs up his suitcase and camcorder to head to Cannes for some sun on the beach. But his trip doesn't go as smoothly as he had hoped when the bumbling Bean falls face first into a series of mishaps and fortunate coincidences, far-fetched enough to make his own avant-garde film. Wrongly thought to be both kidnapper and acclaimed filmmaker, he has some serious explaining to do after wreaking havoc across the French countryside and arriving at his vacation spot with a Romanian filmmaker's precocious son and an aspiring actress in tow.
I was always a big fan of the Mr. Bean show. Rowan Atkinson's physical humor is priceless. This movie was like a big, drawn out episode show. There were a couple of really big belly laughs, but also moments of total blahness. WW and I still enjoyed it and the future steppie and "niece" seemed to like it even more than we did. I guess that would count as a vote for kids liking it.
I'd half-heartedly recommend this movie. If you liked the show - you'll like the movie, but there are some pretty cruddy dead spots throughout the movie. It would probably serve better as a rental.
I was always a big fan of the Mr. Bean show. Rowan Atkinson's physical humor is priceless. This movie was like a big, drawn out episode show. There were a couple of really big belly laughs, but also moments of total blahness. WW and I still enjoyed it and the future steppie and "niece" seemed to like it even more than we did. I guess that would count as a vote for kids liking it.
I'd half-heartedly recommend this movie. If you liked the show - you'll like the movie, but there are some pretty cruddy dead spots throughout the movie. It would probably serve better as a rental.
The Invasion
The mysterious crash of the space shuttle leads to the terrifying discovery that there is something alien within the wreckage. Those who come in contact with it are changing in ominous and inexplicable ways. Soon Washington, DC psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) and her friend, Dr. Ben Driscoll (Daniel Craig), learn the shocking truth about the growing extraterrestrial epidemic: it attacks its victims while they sleep, leaving them physically unchanged but strangely unfeeling and inhuman. As the infection spreads, more and more people are altered and it becomes impossible to know who can be trusted. Now Carol's only hope is to stay awake long enough to find her young son, who may hold the key to stopping the devastating invasion.
This movie was basically a remake of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. It was also one of those movies that was just kind of there. It wasn't horrible. It wasn't great. It was watchable even though at no point did you not totally know what was going to happen next. One would also wonder why Nicole Kidman would bother with this movie because its not like it mattered or not that she was in it or that she brought anything special to the movie in any way. It could have been a nobody playing the role and the movie would have been just as watchable.
I wouldn't ravingly recommend this movie to anyone. If this kind of movie is your cup o' tea, then go check it out. If not - don't.
This movie was basically a remake of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. It was also one of those movies that was just kind of there. It wasn't horrible. It wasn't great. It was watchable even though at no point did you not totally know what was going to happen next. One would also wonder why Nicole Kidman would bother with this movie because its not like it mattered or not that she was in it or that she brought anything special to the movie in any way. It could have been a nobody playing the role and the movie would have been just as watchable.
I wouldn't ravingly recommend this movie to anyone. If this kind of movie is your cup o' tea, then go check it out. If not - don't.
Rush Hour 3
Rush Hour 3 sees the beloved action comedy duo of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan reprising their roles as LAPD Detective James Carter and Chinese Chief Inspector Lee respectively. This time around, the two must travel to Paris to battle a wing of the Chinese organized crime family, the Triads.
Every once and a while a sequel comes out where the movie studio basically decided that nothing really matters production or script wise and that they can just throw the characters that we like up on the screen for an hour and a half and we will all go plunk our money down and watch whatever the characters we know will do and say while they make hundreds of millions of dollars. Think Men In Black 2. Well, Rush Hour 3 is totally one of those sequels. I don't even think that they had a script for this movie. I think that they just filmed Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan doing whatever they wanted knowing that we would all pay to watch regardless. This was not a "good" movie by any means. However, I happen to think that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are absolutely hilarious! I am also a HUGE fan of any movie that shows you the bloopers during the end credits and few things have ever made me laugh harder than the bloopers on all three Rush Hour movies.
If you find Tucker and Chan funny like I do, you will like this movie and I recommend it even though this really isn't a well done movie. If you don't - stay far, far away because you will think it is some of the worst money you've ever spent.
Every once and a while a sequel comes out where the movie studio basically decided that nothing really matters production or script wise and that they can just throw the characters that we like up on the screen for an hour and a half and we will all go plunk our money down and watch whatever the characters we know will do and say while they make hundreds of millions of dollars. Think Men In Black 2. Well, Rush Hour 3 is totally one of those sequels. I don't even think that they had a script for this movie. I think that they just filmed Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan doing whatever they wanted knowing that we would all pay to watch regardless. This was not a "good" movie by any means. However, I happen to think that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are absolutely hilarious! I am also a HUGE fan of any movie that shows you the bloopers during the end credits and few things have ever made me laugh harder than the bloopers on all three Rush Hour movies.
If you find Tucker and Chan funny like I do, you will like this movie and I recommend it even though this really isn't a well done movie. If you don't - stay far, far away because you will think it is some of the worst money you've ever spent.
Stardust
Stardust takes audiences on an adventure that begins in a village in England and ends up in places that exist in an imaginary world. A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller) by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden land beyond the walls of his village. On his odyssey, Tristan finds the star, which has transformed into a striking girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes). However, Tristan is not the only one seeking the star. A king's (Peter O'Toole) four living sons – not to mention the ghosts of their three dead brothers – all need the star as they vie for the throne. Tristan must also overcome the evil witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who needs the star to make her young again. As Tristan battles to survive these threats, encountering a pirate named Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) and a shady trader named Ferdy the Fence (Ricky Gervais) along the way, his quest changes. He must now win the heart of the star for himself as he discovers the meaning of true love.
This was a really great fantasy movie. I've always been a big fan of movies like The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal. This was a movie like those. It had some really funny moments, great fight scenes, and very well developed central characters. The only knock that I can really make against it is that it drags a bit at the beginning and that it may be tough for kids to keep their attention through that part (the future steppies ended up bailing to go watch The Simpsons movie because of this). However, once Tristan meets up with the star and they start travelling, the movie is great, fun entertainment.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking this one out. Those of you with children, be sure to remember that it is a little tedious for the first half hour or so.
This was a really great fantasy movie. I've always been a big fan of movies like The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal. This was a movie like those. It had some really funny moments, great fight scenes, and very well developed central characters. The only knock that I can really make against it is that it drags a bit at the beginning and that it may be tough for kids to keep their attention through that part (the future steppies ended up bailing to go watch The Simpsons movie because of this). However, once Tristan meets up with the star and they start travelling, the movie is great, fun entertainment.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking this one out. Those of you with children, be sure to remember that it is a little tedious for the first half hour or so.
The Bourne Ultimatum
All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly-trained killers. Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. Now, in the new chapter of this espionage series, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to find a future. He must travel from Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to find the real Jason Bourne--all the while trying to outmaneuver the scores of cops, federal officers and Interpol agents with him in their crosshairs.
I love the Bourne movies. They are those types of amazing stuntwork action movies. There's no heavy duty special effects. Its just straight up tension from start to finish with some of the slickest looking fight and chase scenes. This one is just like the previous two except I found myself enjoying it more because I already knew who the characters were and they didn't have to spend all the character development time that would usually be necessary. This movie was very smart, tight, and action packed. The way that it was filmed made you feel all tense and what not even when the characters were just having conversations. It was a great summer movie.
I fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is well worth the price of admission and worth the trip.
I love the Bourne movies. They are those types of amazing stuntwork action movies. There's no heavy duty special effects. Its just straight up tension from start to finish with some of the slickest looking fight and chase scenes. This one is just like the previous two except I found myself enjoying it more because I already knew who the characters were and they didn't have to spend all the character development time that would usually be necessary. This movie was very smart, tight, and action packed. The way that it was filmed made you feel all tense and what not even when the characters were just having conversations. It was a great summer movie.
I fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is well worth the price of admission and worth the trip.
Hot Rod
Self-proclaimed stuntman Rod Taylor is preparing for the jump of his life. Rod plans to clear fifteen buses in an attempt to raise money for his abusive stepfather Frank's life-saving heart operation. He'll land the jump, get Frank better, and then fight him, hard.
This might have honestly been one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen. That being said - I found myself laughing my a$$ off at numerous points throughout it. This movie reminded me a lot of Napolean Dynamite. It was by no means a good movie or even a straight forward comedy, but you can't help laughing at how silly and stupid the things are that are going on up there on the screen. There was one scene in the movie where Rod had to go to his quiet place and they did a spoof on Kevin Bacon having to "dance it out" from Footloose. I thought I was going to wet my pants.
I really don't know how to recommend this movie. Its not a good movie. Its actually a complete waste of time watching something this stupid. However, you might end up totally loving wasting your time. Its simply one of those movies in the mold of Napolean Dynamite, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, The Last Dragon, etc. You all know that you've watched them and enjoyed them and have no idea why. Don't make that face at the computer!
This might have honestly been one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen. That being said - I found myself laughing my a$$ off at numerous points throughout it. This movie reminded me a lot of Napolean Dynamite. It was by no means a good movie or even a straight forward comedy, but you can't help laughing at how silly and stupid the things are that are going on up there on the screen. There was one scene in the movie where Rod had to go to his quiet place and they did a spoof on Kevin Bacon having to "dance it out" from Footloose. I thought I was going to wet my pants.
I really don't know how to recommend this movie. Its not a good movie. Its actually a complete waste of time watching something this stupid. However, you might end up totally loving wasting your time. Its simply one of those movies in the mold of Napolean Dynamite, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, The Last Dragon, etc. You all know that you've watched them and enjoyed them and have no idea why. Don't make that face at the computer!
Underdog
After an accident in the mysterious lab of maniacal scientist Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage), an ordinary beagle unexpectedly finds himself with unimaginable powers and the ability to speak. Armed with a fetching superhero costume, Underdog (voiced by comedian Jason Lee) vows to protect the beleaguered citizens of Capitol City and, in particular, one beautiful spaniel named Polly Purebread. When a sinister plot by Barsinister and his overgrown henchman Cad (Patrick Warburton) threatens to destroy Capitol City only Underdog can save the day.
This was a great movie for kids. Big laughs for them and not a really complicated story or anything. The parents taking the kids might not enjoy it quite as much though. The only thing that I really loved about this movie was the voice of Jason Lee as Underdog. I think that he's hilarious and has awesome punchline delivery. Anyone who isn't watching My Name Is Earl on a weekly basis really should go out of their way to fit it in. Peter Dinklage (the small person author from Elf) was pretty good . . . . . you really can't go wrong with flying midgets - Cinco likey mucho! . . . . . as was Patrick Warburton. Unfortunately for the adults though, this movie was cornified a little too much and is targeted directly for the kids.
I would strongly recommend anyone who has kids checking this bad boy out. You adults will have a few chuckles. However, if you don't have kids and want to see it just because of how you were an old school Underdog fan - keep your expectations low, peoples.
This was a great movie for kids. Big laughs for them and not a really complicated story or anything. The parents taking the kids might not enjoy it quite as much though. The only thing that I really loved about this movie was the voice of Jason Lee as Underdog. I think that he's hilarious and has awesome punchline delivery. Anyone who isn't watching My Name Is Earl on a weekly basis really should go out of their way to fit it in. Peter Dinklage (the small person author from Elf) was pretty good . . . . . you really can't go wrong with flying midgets - Cinco likey mucho! . . . . . as was Patrick Warburton. Unfortunately for the adults though, this movie was cornified a little too much and is targeted directly for the kids.
I would strongly recommend anyone who has kids checking this bad boy out. You adults will have a few chuckles. However, if you don't have kids and want to see it just because of how you were an old school Underdog fan - keep your expectations low, peoples.
Sunshine
Fifty years from now, the sun is dying, and mankind is dying with it. Our last hope: a spaceship and a crew of eight men and women. They carry a device which will breathe new life into the star. But deep into their voyage, out of radio contact with Earth, their mission is starting to unravel. There is an accident, a fatal mistake, and a distress beacon from a spaceship that disappeared seven years earlier. Soon the crew is fighting not only for their lives, but their sanity.
This movie deserves a recommendation simply because it followed the very tough rule of all science fiction movies. A truly good science fiction movie has to make you forget that you are watching a movie and somewhere in your brain believe that what you are watching could somehow be true or possible one day. This movie pulls this off right off the bat. The cast was good and the overall look of the movie was awesome. The only knock I would make against this movie is that when a raving loony bad guy gets introduced later on during the movie - its never very clear what the deal is with him. Literally. Every time he is on screen the camera shakes violently. It was almost as if they didn't have enough money left in the budget to do the makeup so they shook the camera whenever it was on him to try and make him seem scarier. I just found it kind of annoying. Besides that though this was actually a really well done movie and science fiction is the toughest genre of film to pull off by far.
I would recommend this movie to anyone in to sci-fi. Unfortunately, its not really playing at too many theaters so you might have to wait for rental.
This movie deserves a recommendation simply because it followed the very tough rule of all science fiction movies. A truly good science fiction movie has to make you forget that you are watching a movie and somewhere in your brain believe that what you are watching could somehow be true or possible one day. This movie pulls this off right off the bat. The cast was good and the overall look of the movie was awesome. The only knock I would make against this movie is that when a raving loony bad guy gets introduced later on during the movie - its never very clear what the deal is with him. Literally. Every time he is on screen the camera shakes violently. It was almost as if they didn't have enough money left in the budget to do the makeup so they shook the camera whenever it was on him to try and make him seem scarier. I just found it kind of annoying. Besides that though this was actually a really well done movie and science fiction is the toughest genre of film to pull off by far.
I would recommend this movie to anyone in to sci-fi. Unfortunately, its not really playing at too many theaters so you might have to wait for rental.
No Reservations
Master chef Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) lives her life like she runs her kitchen at a trendy Manhattan eatery—with a no-nonsense intensity that both captivates and intimidates everyone around her. Kate's perfectionist nature is put to the test when she "inherits" her nine-year-old niece Zoe (Abigail Breslin), while contending with a brash new sous-chef who joins her staff. High-spirited and freewheeling, Nick Palmer (Aaron Eckhart) couldn't be more different from Kate, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable. Rivalry becomes romance, but Kate will have to learn to express herself beyond the realm of her kitchen if she wants to connect with Zoe and find true happiness with Nick.
This is one of those movies that is just kind of . . . . . . there. It wasn't bad. It wasn't awesome. It was watchable, but not a must see. This is one of those prototype date movies. Uptight cook inherits her niece after her sister dies and at the same time has to deal with outgoing new chef at her restaurant. You can probably predict the entire movie just from that one sentence. Regardless of how completely formula the movie is - it is enjoyable if you have the time to check it out. It's cute with some big laughs and some big heartstring pulls as well.
I'd recommend people seeing this if they were interested in the preview. I wouldn't recommend anyone rushing out to see this, but it is by no means a horrible watch.
The Simpsons Movie
In the eagerly-awaited film based on the hit television series, Homer must save the world from a catastrophe he himself created. It all begins with Homer, his new pet pig, and a leaky silo full of droppings - a combination that triggers a disaster the likes of which Springfield has never experienced. As Marge is outraged by Homer's monumental blunder, a vengeful mob descends on the Simpson household. The family makes a narrow escape, but is soon divided by both location and conflict. The Springfield citizenry has every reason to be out for Simpson blood. The calamity triggered by Homer has drawn the attention of U.S. President Arnold Schwarzenegger (voiced by Harry Shearer) and Environmental Protection Agency head Russ Cargill (voiced by Albert Brooks). He comes up with a plan to contain the disaster. As the fates of Springfield and the world hang in the balance, Homer embarks on a personal odyssey of redemption - seeking forgiveness from Marge, the reunion of his splintered family, and the salvation of his hometown.
This movie was hysterical. I have been a huge fan of the show for more than half of my life and knew that I would love this one going it. Its basically like a month long arc of the show. They don't try to overdo it at all which I was very afraid would happen. They stayed completely true to the show's form and it was beyond entertaining. Parents beware taking your kids though. Since they are on the big screen, they do push the envelope a little bit much for younger ones. There is a drug scene, Homer giving the middle finger and brief frontal nudity of Bart while skateboarding. Ye hath been warned.
Regardless, I totally loved this movie and wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone. Fans of the show will love it and even those that aren't will love it as well . . . . . even if you don't want to admit it.
This movie was hysterical. I have been a huge fan of the show for more than half of my life and knew that I would love this one going it. Its basically like a month long arc of the show. They don't try to overdo it at all which I was very afraid would happen. They stayed completely true to the show's form and it was beyond entertaining. Parents beware taking your kids though. Since they are on the big screen, they do push the envelope a little bit much for younger ones. There is a drug scene, Homer giving the middle finger and brief frontal nudity of Bart while skateboarding. Ye hath been warned.
Regardless, I totally loved this movie and wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone. Fans of the show will love it and even those that aren't will love it as well . . . . . even if you don't want to admit it.
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Adam Sandler and Kevin James team as two straight guys who stumble down the aisle with the best of intentions in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Chuck Ford (Sandler) and Larry Allensworth (James) are the pride of their fire station: two guy's guys always side-by-side and willing to do anything for each other. Salt-of-the-earth widower Larry wants just one thing: to protect his family. His buddy Chuck also wants one thing: to enjoy the single life. Grateful Chuck owes Larry for saving his life in a fire, and Larry calls in that favor big time when civic red tape prevents him from naming his own two kids as his life insurance beneficiaries. All that Chuck has to do is claim to be Larry's domestic partner on some city forms. Easy. Nobody will ever know. But when an overzealous, spot-checking bureaucrat becomes suspicious, the new couple's arrangement becomes a citywide issue and goes from confidential to front-page news. Forced to improvise as love-struck newlyweds, Chuck and Larry must now fumble through a hilarious charade of domestic bliss under one roof. After surviving their mandatory honeymoon and dodging the threat of exposure, the well-intentioned con men discover that sticking together in your time of need is what truly makes a family.
I couldn't possibly be a bigger fan of Kevin James. I have always loved his stand up stuff and watch King Of Queens religiously in syndication numerous times a day. I couldn't wait to see this movie. Unfortunately, I think I let myself get a little bit too excited. The movie was good and nowhere near horrible, but I expected it to be a lot funnier than it was. The movie was basically one of those that pushes every possible cliche and pushes them as far as humanly possible and gets away from being funny anymore about half way through the movie. Kevin James is his usual hysterical self and the kid that plays his son in the movie was classic. Adam Sandler actually seemed to be the thing holding this movie back. He came across as funny only when he was playing off of someone else and when he wasn't with someone else funny - those scenes came across as very flat.
I would casually recommend this movie to anyone looking for some cheap laughs. Its not a must see by any means but its not horrible either.
I couldn't possibly be a bigger fan of Kevin James. I have always loved his stand up stuff and watch King Of Queens religiously in syndication numerous times a day. I couldn't wait to see this movie. Unfortunately, I think I let myself get a little bit too excited. The movie was good and nowhere near horrible, but I expected it to be a lot funnier than it was. The movie was basically one of those that pushes every possible cliche and pushes them as far as humanly possible and gets away from being funny anymore about half way through the movie. Kevin James is his usual hysterical self and the kid that plays his son in the movie was classic. Adam Sandler actually seemed to be the thing holding this movie back. He came across as funny only when he was playing off of someone else and when he wasn't with someone else funny - those scenes came across as very flat.
I would casually recommend this movie to anyone looking for some cheap laughs. Its not a must see by any means but its not horrible either.
Hairspray
Sixteen years after the release of the original film, New Line Cinema is bringing a feature film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway production Hairspray to life. Featuring new and original material based on John Waters' 1988 cult classic about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show, the comedy features a remarkable collection of talent including John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, Allison Janney, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley.
The future stepdaughter couldn't wait to see this movie. She kept asking about it for months. I like to think of it as the High School Musical effect. Musicals have come back with a vengeance and the s.o.b.s decided to target young girls. I'd be a big fat liar if I tried to tell you that I didn't know all the songs from High School Musical. All of that being said - I was reluctant to say the least about going to see this movie because it looked so fluffy in the commercial and I couldn't remotely comprehend John Travolta's decision to play the role of a fat woman. However, the music and feel good vibe of the movie made it actually quite enjoyable. I am not afraid to admit that I was dancing in my chair at various points of the movie. And the bottom line is whether or not the wonderous future steppie liked it and she most absolutely did. The one thing that really does bother me about the movie is . . . . . . . who in the blue hell thought that John Travolta playing Edna Turnblatt was a good idea!?!
Even with the aforementioned worst casting ever - I strongly recommend this movie to everyone. It's a feel good movie that will have you leaving the theater with a smile on your face . . . . . even though Travolta plays a big fat woman.
The future stepdaughter couldn't wait to see this movie. She kept asking about it for months. I like to think of it as the High School Musical effect. Musicals have come back with a vengeance and the s.o.b.s decided to target young girls. I'd be a big fat liar if I tried to tell you that I didn't know all the songs from High School Musical. All of that being said - I was reluctant to say the least about going to see this movie because it looked so fluffy in the commercial and I couldn't remotely comprehend John Travolta's decision to play the role of a fat woman. However, the music and feel good vibe of the movie made it actually quite enjoyable. I am not afraid to admit that I was dancing in my chair at various points of the movie. And the bottom line is whether or not the wonderous future steppie liked it and she most absolutely did. The one thing that really does bother me about the movie is . . . . . . . who in the blue hell thought that John Travolta playing Edna Turnblatt was a good idea!?!
Even with the aforementioned worst casting ever - I strongly recommend this movie to everyone. It's a feel good movie that will have you leaving the theater with a smile on your face . . . . . even though Travolta plays a big fat woman.
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