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.
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