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.
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.
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