An American film producer named Marie returns to her homeland, Russia, where her Mother's dead body has been found under bizarre circumstances. She never knew her, having been adopted and brought to America as a baby. The only clue to what might have happened is an isolated, abandoned farm in the mountains that supposedly belonged to her natural parents. Being the only next of kin, she inherits the place, but no one will take her there as local superstitions state that the area is haunted. Only one man will help her, a stranger that oddly seems to know quite a bit about her history. But once arrived, the guide mysteriously disappears, forcing Marie to explore the derelict location alone. She discovers someone else on the property, Nikolai, who claims to have been lured there exactly in the same manner, so he could discover the truth behind his unknown past as well. They become stranded in the immense compound, plagued by terrifying ghosts and visions.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the only way that anyone knows about this movie is because of the movie posters and numerous internet ads with the baby doll head with different colored eyes and blood trickling out of one of them. I should mention that the massively advertised doll has nothing to do with this movie and is not featured at any point. I digress. This movie overall was decent. The beginning was brutally boring. The middle with the two people trying to figure out what is going on and the ghostly visions was awesome. Then, the end seemed a little bit too choppy to me with the going back and forth between the past and present before everything finally came together. Average out the three parts of the movie and you get a pretty decent suspense/thriller. I definitely think it could have been better, but it could have been a whole lot worse. For the record, WW liked this movie a lot more than I did which would make me think that horror/thriller movie buffs would probably really like this one.
I would moderately recommend this movie. Not that it really matters though because it's playing very limited in theaters. Hell, we actually had to pay to see this one because it was playing at so few theaters.
The Astronaut Farmer
Dismissed from NASA's space program, former astronaut-in-training Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) pursues his lifelong dream by building his own rocket in the family film The Astronaut Farmer. On the eve of his launch, he must battle foreclosure on his ranch, a small-town community of disbelievers, the FAA, and FBI agents who want to shut him down in the name of Homeland Security – but remains determined to reach his goal and instill in his children the courage to pursue their own dreams, no matter the odds.
The first hour of this movie was firmly entrenched in snooze city. Both WW and I, along with the three kids, were visibly bored out of our minds. Usually something like that will kill a movie and put it way beyond the point of no return in terms of being able to bring the audience back. However, the last 40 minutes of it somehow managed to literally perk up the whole theater and suck you back in to the point where you are really rooting for this thing to work out, getting choked up at certain points, and wanting to clap at the end. Very strange movie going experience here.
I would recommend this movie to everyone (especially with kids), but must heavily warn you that you have to drudge through the first hour. The ending of the movie makes it worth it but I'm not going to lie to you. It's a pretty rough first hour.
The first hour of this movie was firmly entrenched in snooze city. Both WW and I, along with the three kids, were visibly bored out of our minds. Usually something like that will kill a movie and put it way beyond the point of no return in terms of being able to bring the audience back. However, the last 40 minutes of it somehow managed to literally perk up the whole theater and suck you back in to the point where you are really rooting for this thing to work out, getting choked up at certain points, and wanting to clap at the end. Very strange movie going experience here.
I would recommend this movie to everyone (especially with kids), but must heavily warn you that you have to drudge through the first hour. The ending of the movie makes it worth it but I'm not going to lie to you. It's a pretty rough first hour.
The Number 23
The Number 23 stars Jim Carrey as a man whose life unravels after he comes into contact with an obscure book titled The Number 23. As he reads the book, he becomes increasingly convinced that it is based on his own life. His obsession with the number 23 starts to consume him, and he begins to realize the book forecasts far graver consequences for his life than he could have ever imagined.
This is the type of movie that totally explains how my movie going experiences are dictated by expectations. I was really psyched to see this movie because I love Jim Carrey and the previews for it looked awesome. Then I read a bunch of reviews that said the movie was absolutely horrible. I'm talking about like one star reviews here. I was disappointed by that and ended up going in to the movie expecting it to be pretty crappy. I'm usually not one to buy in to the critics' point of view but when 5 or 6 people say the same thing about it - I might tend to be swayed. Luckily, because of the low expectations going in I ended up thinking that the movie was pretty good and not nearly as bad as everyone had said it would be. The movie wasn't quite as suspenseful as I thought it would be. I was expecting a lot more of an edge of my seat type feeling. However, it was one of those Sixth Sense type movies and I don't really see why people would have thought this was so bad.
I would casually recommend people checking this one out. It's not worthy of must see status but it's worth the trip to theaters if you are up to it.
This is the type of movie that totally explains how my movie going experiences are dictated by expectations. I was really psyched to see this movie because I love Jim Carrey and the previews for it looked awesome. Then I read a bunch of reviews that said the movie was absolutely horrible. I'm talking about like one star reviews here. I was disappointed by that and ended up going in to the movie expecting it to be pretty crappy. I'm usually not one to buy in to the critics' point of view but when 5 or 6 people say the same thing about it - I might tend to be swayed. Luckily, because of the low expectations going in I ended up thinking that the movie was pretty good and not nearly as bad as everyone had said it would be. The movie wasn't quite as suspenseful as I thought it would be. I was expecting a lot more of an edge of my seat type feeling. However, it was one of those Sixth Sense type movies and I don't really see why people would have thought this was so bad.
I would casually recommend people checking this one out. It's not worthy of must see status but it's worth the trip to theaters if you are up to it.
Bridge To Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia is a fantasy/adventure story of friendship, family and the power of imagination. Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is an outsider at school and even in his own family. Jess has trained all summer to become the fastest kid in his middle school class but his goal is unexpectedly thwarted by the new girl in school, Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) who competes in the "boys only" race and wins. Despite their awkward introduction, the two outsiders quickly become best friends. Leslie loves to tell stories of fantasy and magic. Jess loves to draw, but until he met Leslie it was something he kept to himself. Leslie opens a new world of imagination for Jess. Together they create the secret kingdom of Terabithia, a magical place only accessible by swinging on an old rope over a stream in the woods near their homes. There, the friends rule the kingdom, fight the Dark Master and his creatures and plot against the school bullies. Thanks to his friendship with Leslie, Jess is changed for good.
Very rarely will a movie be so completely misadvertised and still be so incredibly good that you end up loving the movie anyway. The bottom line is that I thought I was walking in to a Chronicles Of Narnia type movie and ended up getting My Girl in return. However, like I said, it was so incredibly well done that I didn't care that much and totally loved the movie. The filmmakers did such an amazing job at catching the awkwardness of childhood. The movie is a perfect one to take your kids to so that they can see the power of imaginiation instead of the power of a wireless controller for their new video gaming system. Just a heads up for all parents who don't want to be blindsided by the incredibly depressing conversations that may ensue with your child on the way home - a major character dies. I couldn't imagine anything worse that thinking you'll be talking about the cool effects on the way home and end up having to try to explain death. Even with that stomach punch of a character killing, I absolutely loved this movie.
I fully recommend this movie to children and adults alike. Just be forewarned that its nothing like the Narnia-ish commercial. It's has some occasional fantasy elements, but is honestly an amazing character drama about growing up and the power of your imagination.
Very rarely will a movie be so completely misadvertised and still be so incredibly good that you end up loving the movie anyway. The bottom line is that I thought I was walking in to a Chronicles Of Narnia type movie and ended up getting My Girl in return. However, like I said, it was so incredibly well done that I didn't care that much and totally loved the movie. The filmmakers did such an amazing job at catching the awkwardness of childhood. The movie is a perfect one to take your kids to so that they can see the power of imaginiation instead of the power of a wireless controller for their new video gaming system. Just a heads up for all parents who don't want to be blindsided by the incredibly depressing conversations that may ensue with your child on the way home - a major character dies. I couldn't imagine anything worse that thinking you'll be talking about the cool effects on the way home and end up having to try to explain death. Even with that stomach punch of a character killing, I absolutely loved this movie.
I fully recommend this movie to children and adults alike. Just be forewarned that its nothing like the Narnia-ish commercial. It's has some occasional fantasy elements, but is honestly an amazing character drama about growing up and the power of your imagination.
Ghost Rider
From Marvel Comics, comes a new hero... Ghost Rider. Long ago, superstar motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze made a deal with the devil to protect the ones he loved most: his father and his childhood sweetheart, Roxanne (Eva Mendes). Now, the devil has come for his due. By day, Johnny is a die-hard stunt rider... but at night, in the presence of evil, he becomes the Ghost Rider, a bounty hunter of rogue demons. Forced to do the devil's bidding, Johnny is determined to confront his fate and use his curse and powers to defend the innocent.
When it comes to comic book movies, I seem to always put them on a sliding scale. There are the Spider-Man movies, the X-Men movies, and the original Batman (as well as Batman Begins) in the upper tier. Then there are the middle of the road comic book movies like Batmans two and three from the orginal franchise, Fantastic Four, and the Blade franchise. Then there are the stupid ones like Daredevil and The Punisher. I would put Ghost Rider in the middle of the road category. It wasn't good enough to be considered one of the greats but was far from being a steaming pile of dung. They developed the character enough in the beginning, the effects on Ghost Rider were really cool, and the action/fight scenes were pretty good. I think the biggest thing holding this movie back was the villian. He wasn't a big name villian and he really didn't seem like much of a match for Ghost Rider.
I would recommend this movie as being worthy of checking out. It's not totally awesome, but it is definitely above average.
When it comes to comic book movies, I seem to always put them on a sliding scale. There are the Spider-Man movies, the X-Men movies, and the original Batman (as well as Batman Begins) in the upper tier. Then there are the middle of the road comic book movies like Batmans two and three from the orginal franchise, Fantastic Four, and the Blade franchise. Then there are the stupid ones like Daredevil and The Punisher. I would put Ghost Rider in the middle of the road category. It wasn't good enough to be considered one of the greats but was far from being a steaming pile of dung. They developed the character enough in the beginning, the effects on Ghost Rider were really cool, and the action/fight scenes were pretty good. I think the biggest thing holding this movie back was the villian. He wasn't a big name villian and he really didn't seem like much of a match for Ghost Rider.
I would recommend this movie as being worthy of checking out. It's not totally awesome, but it is definitely above average.
Breach
When young Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) is promoted out of his low-level surveillance job and into the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, his dream of becoming a full-fledged agent is on the verge of becoming reality. Even more impressive, O'Neill is hand picked to work for renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Cooper) within "information assurance," a new division created to protect all classified FBI Intelligence. But O'Neill is quickly confronted with the true reason behind his hire: Hanssen is the sole subject of a long-term, top-secret investigation, a suspected mole made all the more dangerous by the sheer global import of the information he is charged with protecting. The Bureau asks O'Neill to use Hanssen's growing trust and slowly draw the traitor out of deep cover. Engaged in a lethal game of spy-versus-spy without the benefit of a cover story or backup, O'Neill finds himself fighting to bring down Hanssen before the treacherous double-agent can destroy O'Neill, his family and the nation they are both sworn to serve.
I liked this movie a lot. Chris Cooper is probably the most underrated actor in all of Hollywood. I don't think that this guy has ever been bad in any role he has portrayed. The same can be said for Laura Linney who plays the FBI agent that is running the investigation case against Hansenn. The two of them even managed to make Ryan Phillipe look like an awesome actor. That's how well done and acted this movie was. The only slight knock that I would make against it is that the advertising made it seem like it would be more edge of your seat suspense, which there really wasn't any of that. It was more of a smart thriller and definitely kept you interested, but not in a surprise thriller kind of way.
Regardless, I would fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is by far one of the better movies in theaters right now.
I liked this movie a lot. Chris Cooper is probably the most underrated actor in all of Hollywood. I don't think that this guy has ever been bad in any role he has portrayed. The same can be said for Laura Linney who plays the FBI agent that is running the investigation case against Hansenn. The two of them even managed to make Ryan Phillipe look like an awesome actor. That's how well done and acted this movie was. The only slight knock that I would make against it is that the advertising made it seem like it would be more edge of your seat suspense, which there really wasn't any of that. It was more of a smart thriller and definitely kept you interested, but not in a surprise thriller kind of way.
Regardless, I would fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is by far one of the better movies in theaters right now.
Hannibal Rising
In Hannibal Rising, we find out the origins of Hannibal Lecter. The story begins in Eastern Europe at the end of World War II. A young Hannibal watches from only steps away as his parents' violently die, leaving his cherished young sister in his care. This horrific moment will soon pale in comparison to the atrocities he is forced to witness and perhaps survive as a result of.Alone and without any means of support, he is forced to live in a Soviet Orphanage that once served as his family's beloved home. He flees to Paris to find his uncle has died but his beautiful and mysterious Japanese widow, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li) welcomes him. Even her kindness and love cannot soothe the nightmares and sorrows that plague him. Showing a cunning aptitude for science he is accepted into medical school, which serves to hone his skills and provide the tools to exact justice on the war criminals that haunt him day and night. This quest will ignite an insatiable lust within a serial killer who was not born, but made.
I had read this book and didn't think that it was nearly as bad as the critics who relentlessly bashed it did. I had said to WW that how good the movie will be will depend on how good the younger Hannibal Lecter is. I was wrong. The younger Hannibal Lecter wasn't that bad, but the complete lack of tension stunk. What made the other Hannibal Lecter movies so good was that you were sitting on the edge of your seat. This movie basically plodded along for the most part and even the scenes where Hannibal is killing people for revenger were pretty blah. The movie wasn't horrible . . . . . but it really wasn't all that good either.
I wouldn't really recommend people rushing to see this. You might be better off just waiting for it to be available via rental.
I had read this book and didn't think that it was nearly as bad as the critics who relentlessly bashed it did. I had said to WW that how good the movie will be will depend on how good the younger Hannibal Lecter is. I was wrong. The younger Hannibal Lecter wasn't that bad, but the complete lack of tension stunk. What made the other Hannibal Lecter movies so good was that you were sitting on the edge of your seat. This movie basically plodded along for the most part and even the scenes where Hannibal is killing people for revenger were pretty blah. The movie wasn't horrible . . . . . but it really wasn't all that good either.
I wouldn't really recommend people rushing to see this. You might be better off just waiting for it to be available via rental.
Norbit
Norbit (Eddie Murphy) has never had it easy. As a baby, he was abandoned on the steps of a Chinese restaurant/orphanage and raised by Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy). Things get worse when he's forced into marriage by the mean, junk food-chugging queen, Rasputia (Eddie Murphy). Just when Norbit's hanging by his last thread, his childhood sweetheart, Kate (Thandie Newton), moves back to town.
This is basically just another chance to watch Eddie Murphy play as many characters as possible in one movie. It worked amazingly well with The Nutty Professor because I still think that when he played the whole family at the dinner scene is one of the funniest scenes in a movie ever. As far as Norbit goes, there are some really funny moments and you find yourself laughing really hard from time to time. Unfortunately, the overall story is beyond lame and kind of holds the funniness back at times. Eddie Murphy is still one of the funniest people alive though.
I would recommend people checking this movie out if they're looking for a laugh. It's not a great movie, but there are definitely some really worthy funny moments.
This is basically just another chance to watch Eddie Murphy play as many characters as possible in one movie. It worked amazingly well with The Nutty Professor because I still think that when he played the whole family at the dinner scene is one of the funniest scenes in a movie ever. As far as Norbit goes, there are some really funny moments and you find yourself laughing really hard from time to time. Unfortunately, the overall story is beyond lame and kind of holds the funniness back at times. Eddie Murphy is still one of the funniest people alive though.
I would recommend people checking this movie out if they're looking for a laugh. It's not a great movie, but there are definitely some really worthy funny moments.
Letters From Iwo Jima
Sixty-one years ago, U.S. and Japanese armies met on Iwo Jima. Decades later, several hundred letters are unearthed from that stark island's soil. The letters give faces and voices to the men who fought there, as well as the extraordinary general who led them, Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe). With little defense other than sheer will and the volcanic rock of the island itself, Gen. Kuribayashi's unprecedented tactics transform what was predicted to be a quick and bloody defeat into nearly 40 days of heroic and resourceful combat.In an effort to explore an event that continues to resonate with both cultures, Clint Eastwood was haunted by the sense that making only one film, "Flags of Our Fathers," would be telling only half the story. With this unprecedented dual film project, shot back-to-back to be released in sequence, Eastwood seeks to reveal the battle of Iwo Jima--and, by implication, the war in the Pacific--as a clash not only of arms but of cultures.
This is one of those movies that I might have liked a lot more if I would have seen it under different pretenses. The bottom line is that since this was a subtitle movie, I planned on waiting to rent it instead of going to theaters to see it. Then it got nominated for Best Picture and I wanted to make sure to see it before the Academy Awards. Unfortunately, I was then stuck watching this movie for two plus hours thinking nothing other than why in the blue hell was this movie nominated for best picture over Dreamgirls and Children Of Men? It's not that the movie was bad. It actually ended up being better than average. But definitely not good enough to warrant a Best Picture nomination. Again, I probably would have really liked this a lot more if I would have seen it without the imbedded bias in my brain.
I would still recommend people checking this movie out because, again, it's not a bad movie. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check.
This is one of those movies that I might have liked a lot more if I would have seen it under different pretenses. The bottom line is that since this was a subtitle movie, I planned on waiting to rent it instead of going to theaters to see it. Then it got nominated for Best Picture and I wanted to make sure to see it before the Academy Awards. Unfortunately, I was then stuck watching this movie for two plus hours thinking nothing other than why in the blue hell was this movie nominated for best picture over Dreamgirls and Children Of Men? It's not that the movie was bad. It actually ended up being better than average. But definitely not good enough to warrant a Best Picture nomination. Again, I probably would have really liked this a lot more if I would have seen it without the imbedded bias in my brain.
I would still recommend people checking this movie out because, again, it's not a bad movie. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check.
Because I Said So
Keaton stars as Daphne Wilder, a mother whose love knows no bounds or boundaries. She is the proud mom of three daughters: Maggie (Graham), Mae (Perabo) and Milly (Moore)-who, when it comes to men, is like psychotic flypaper. In order to prevent her youngest from making the same mistakes she did, Daphne decides to set Milly up with the perfect man. Little does Milly know, however, that her mom placed an ad in the online personals to find him. Comic mayhem unfolds as Daphne continues to do the wrong thing for the right reasons...all in the name of love. In a hilarious battle of strong wills, the mother-daughter dynamic is tested in all its fierce, wacky complexity. The girls help Daphne finally discover the truths and impossibilities of motherly love, all while trying to answer the questions: where does it begin and where should it end?
I went in to this movie with lukewarm expectations at best. I ended up completely loving it. I was laughing out loud numerous times throughout the movie and thought that everyone contributed great acting performances, especially Diane Keaton. This is one of the best date movies to come out in a while and there is nothing better than leaving a theater having so thoroughly enjoyed the movie you just watched.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone. Even guys who put on that macho front and don't want to see a "chick flick" . . . . . . suck it up and take your significant other. You'll end up liking it just as much as them.
I went in to this movie with lukewarm expectations at best. I ended up completely loving it. I was laughing out loud numerous times throughout the movie and thought that everyone contributed great acting performances, especially Diane Keaton. This is one of the best date movies to come out in a while and there is nothing better than leaving a theater having so thoroughly enjoyed the movie you just watched.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone. Even guys who put on that macho front and don't want to see a "chick flick" . . . . . . suck it up and take your significant other. You'll end up liking it just as much as them.
The Messengers
There is evidence to suggest that children are highly susceptible to paranormal phenomenon. They can see what adults cannot, they believe what adults deny. And they are trying to warn us. In The Messengers, a thriller starring Kristen Stewart, Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller and John Corbett, the Solomon family has left big city life for a secluded farm in North Dakota. Soon after they arrive at their new home, 16 year-old Jess and her 3 year old brother begin seeing ominous apparitions that no one else can see, and are repeatedly attacked by something from the other side. Now they must try desperately to warn the rest of the family before it's too late.
This movie was really really good for 9/10 of it. As usual with these types of spooky, make you jump out of your seat movies it is very hard to cross the finish line. They always seem to be the right amount of creepy and has you sitting on the edge of the seat and then it's time for the grand finale and you are kind of left staring at the screen like a confused dog with your head to the side thinking "what?" Even though this movie made WW (she lives for these kind of movies by the way) and I both feel that way, the movie was still very enjoyable. Even as the movie was winding down in a mostly lame way, we were both still sitting on the edge of our seats and jumping out of them. Well, WW was jumping out of her seat. I was merely jumping out of the way of her elbows of death that she likes to throw towards my ribs when she is scared during a movie.
I would recommend this movie regardless of the off ending. It's very much worth viewing especially if you like these kinds of movies.
This movie was really really good for 9/10 of it. As usual with these types of spooky, make you jump out of your seat movies it is very hard to cross the finish line. They always seem to be the right amount of creepy and has you sitting on the edge of the seat and then it's time for the grand finale and you are kind of left staring at the screen like a confused dog with your head to the side thinking "what?" Even though this movie made WW (she lives for these kind of movies by the way) and I both feel that way, the movie was still very enjoyable. Even as the movie was winding down in a mostly lame way, we were both still sitting on the edge of our seats and jumping out of them. Well, WW was jumping out of her seat. I was merely jumping out of the way of her elbows of death that she likes to throw towards my ribs when she is scared during a movie.
I would recommend this movie regardless of the off ending. It's very much worth viewing especially if you like these kinds of movies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)