25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut. Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie). After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad's death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself. With wickedly brilliant tutors--including the Fraternity's enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman)--Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.
This movie was pure adrenaline. When I first saw the preview, I was scared that the movie would be another one of those kick ass action movies that looks awesome and then degenerates in to a pointless pile of dung a la Crank or Shoot Em Up. I was so glad to be dead wrong. This movie was straight up action from the start and had an equally great story line. Are parts of absolutely absurd and far fetched? Of course they are. However, its filmed in such a way that you are able to let go of that silliness and fully immerse in the roller coaster ride anyway. Although they are blatantly using Angelina Jolie to market this movie, the thing that really made this movie was the performance of James McAvoy. His transformation from anxiety ridden cubicle worker to nerves of steel assassin is the true backbone of this movie. The only knock that I would make against this movie is that the buzz and comparisons to The Matrix is a little too much. As awesome as the action is, some of the scenes not in slow motion are a little bit too choppy . . . . . especially the car chases. The car chases in The Matrix Reloaded and The Bourne Ultimatum were edited much better and if they wouldn't have put a little more of that in to this movie, I would stamp it a must see.
I very strongly recommend this movie for anyone looking for a kick ass adrenaline ride. It is definitely worth the trip to theaters.
WALL-E
After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL•E discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL•E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home. Meanwhile, WALL•E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. Joining WALL•E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future, is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.
Lets state it for the record that Pixar really doesn't do anything bad. They have truly brought animated movies to a level of such greatness that I never imagined possible. Wall-E is no exception to this. In fact, Wall-E might be one of the greatest love stories ever told. Even though its an animated movie about robots in space - this was a truly great love story. The animation is probably the best I've ever seen. How real everything looked and the pinpoint precise movements of Wall-E on his wheel tracks was very impressive. The way that the script mocked society for getting lazier and lazier and just eating up whatever stuff is told to us was hysterical . . . . even though its so sadly true. The more I think about the fact that this movie was so well done with there being pretty much no talking outside of the words Wall-E, Eve and directive for the first hour only makes it that much more amazing.
This movie is an absolute must see by all. Its a truly amazing movie even though its animated and is probably a lock to show up on the best movies of the year list.
Lets state it for the record that Pixar really doesn't do anything bad. They have truly brought animated movies to a level of such greatness that I never imagined possible. Wall-E is no exception to this. In fact, Wall-E might be one of the greatest love stories ever told. Even though its an animated movie about robots in space - this was a truly great love story. The animation is probably the best I've ever seen. How real everything looked and the pinpoint precise movements of Wall-E on his wheel tracks was very impressive. The way that the script mocked society for getting lazier and lazier and just eating up whatever stuff is told to us was hysterical . . . . even though its so sadly true. The more I think about the fact that this movie was so well done with there being pretty much no talking outside of the words Wall-E, Eve and directive for the first hour only makes it that much more amazing.
This movie is an absolute must see by all. Its a truly amazing movie even though its animated and is probably a lock to show up on the best movies of the year list.
The Love Guru
In the comedy The Love Guru, Pitka (Mike Myers) is an American who was left at the gates of an ashram in India as a child and raised by gurus. He moves back to the U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world of self-help and spirituality. His unorthodox methods are put to the test when he must settle a rift between Toronto Maple Leafs star hockey player Darren Roanoke (Malco) and his estranged wife. After the split, Roanoke's wife starts dating L.A. Kings star Jacques Grande (Timberlake) out of revenge, sending her husband into a major professional skid -- to the horror of the teams' owner Jane Bullard (Alba) and Coach Cherkov (Troyer). Pitka must return the couple to marital nirvana and get Roanoke back on his game so the team can break the 40-year-old "Bullard Curse" and win the Stanley Cup.
Even though I found myself laughing at various points throughout the movie - this is one of the dumbest movies I've ever seen. Essentially, Mike Myers hasn't done anything since Austin Powers (not counting the voice of Shrek) and returns to the the screen so he can do Austin Powers . . . . . with an Indian accent? Most of the funny parts were in the trailer. I did however like the various titles of his book and couldn't stop laughing when he would say hello to people by bowing and saying Marishka Hargitay. Outside of that - it was stale, rehashed, and a real shame because he's much better than this.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone checking this out. This one could definitely be waited until it hits video stores . . . . . or even cable.
Even though I found myself laughing at various points throughout the movie - this is one of the dumbest movies I've ever seen. Essentially, Mike Myers hasn't done anything since Austin Powers (not counting the voice of Shrek) and returns to the the screen so he can do Austin Powers . . . . . with an Indian accent? Most of the funny parts were in the trailer. I did however like the various titles of his book and couldn't stop laughing when he would say hello to people by bowing and saying Marishka Hargitay. Outside of that - it was stale, rehashed, and a real shame because he's much better than this.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone checking this out. This one could definitely be waited until it hits video stores . . . . . or even cable.
Get Smart
Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is on a mission to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS. When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief (Alan Arkin) has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson). Smart is partnered instead with the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). Given little field experience and even less time, Smart--armed with nothing but a few spy-tech gadgets and his unbridled enthusiasm--must thwart the doomsday plans of KAOS head Siegfried (Terence Stamp).
This was one of those textbook summer movies. Great laughs. Great action. Simple enjoyment. Steve Carell was perfectly cast as Maxwell Smart. I am a huge fan of The Office (if you are not watching this show - you really need to start!) and he really can't do any wrong in my eyes. Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson and Alan Arkin were all excellent complimentary parts to his lead. If handled right, Warner Bros could totally turn this in to a workable franchise. I found myself really looking forward to this movie as the summer approached and it didn't remotely disappoint me.
I would recommend everyone checking this movie out. Its wouldn't qualify as a must see but it is pure, simple enjoyment at the cineplex.
This was one of those textbook summer movies. Great laughs. Great action. Simple enjoyment. Steve Carell was perfectly cast as Maxwell Smart. I am a huge fan of The Office (if you are not watching this show - you really need to start!) and he really can't do any wrong in my eyes. Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson and Alan Arkin were all excellent complimentary parts to his lead. If handled right, Warner Bros could totally turn this in to a workable franchise. I found myself really looking forward to this movie as the summer approached and it didn't remotely disappoint me.
I would recommend everyone checking this movie out. Its wouldn't qualify as a must see but it is pure, simple enjoyment at the cineplex.
The Happening
It begins with no clear warning. It seems to come out of nowhere. In a matter of minutes, episodes of strange, chilling deaths that defy reason and boggle the mind in their shocking destructiveness, erupt in major American cities. What is causing this sudden, total breakdown of human behavior? Is it some kind of new terrorist attack, an experiment gone wrong, a diabolical toxic weapon, an out-of-control virus? How is it being transmitted? For Philadelphia high school science teacher Elliot Moore (Wahlberg) what matters most is finding a way to escape the mysterious and deadly phenomenon. Though he and his wife Alma (Deschanel) are in the midst of a marital crisis, they hit the road, first by train, then by car, with Elliot's math teacher friend Julian (Leguizamo) and his 8 year-old daughter Jess ( Sanchez), heading for the Pennsylvania farmlands where they hope they'll be out of reach of the grisly, ever-growing attacks. Yet it soon becomes clear that no one - and nowhere - is safe.
I lost count of how many times during The Happening I turned to WW and asked "Is this really happening?" This movie was horrible. It had a good premise, especially with terrorism paranoia being so high and the scenes where the people were going to kill themselves had a great level of suspense but outside of that everything was so beyond bad. Seriously. I couldn't believe how truly bad it was. Who the hell thought that casting Mark Wahlberg as a science teacher was legit? The acting and script were atrocious across the board. I could not have possibly cared less about the marital issues between Wahlberg and Deschannel. There was actually commentary in the script regarding hot dogs getting a bum rap. I was ready to walk out of the theater after that, but WW wanted to see how it ended . . . . . and at the risk of giving it away it pretty much didn't end. The credits just sort of came on. To put just how bad this movie really was in perspective, I'm one of the people that actually likes M. Night Shyalalalalalalalablabla's other movies. The Sixth Sense was awesome. Unbreakable was watchable (the second time since it was so misadvertised for me the first time). I liked Signs even though the ending was really lame. I loved The Village. I even was able to enjoy Lady In The Water for what it was. This thing was a giant turd though.
I wouldn't recommend anyone seeing this movie . . . . . . ever! Its a lock for the worst movies of 2008 at the end of the year.
I lost count of how many times during The Happening I turned to WW and asked "Is this really happening?" This movie was horrible. It had a good premise, especially with terrorism paranoia being so high and the scenes where the people were going to kill themselves had a great level of suspense but outside of that everything was so beyond bad. Seriously. I couldn't believe how truly bad it was. Who the hell thought that casting Mark Wahlberg as a science teacher was legit? The acting and script were atrocious across the board. I could not have possibly cared less about the marital issues between Wahlberg and Deschannel. There was actually commentary in the script regarding hot dogs getting a bum rap. I was ready to walk out of the theater after that, but WW wanted to see how it ended . . . . . and at the risk of giving it away it pretty much didn't end. The credits just sort of came on. To put just how bad this movie really was in perspective, I'm one of the people that actually likes M. Night Shyalalalalalalalablabla's other movies. The Sixth Sense was awesome. Unbreakable was watchable (the second time since it was so misadvertised for me the first time). I liked Signs even though the ending was really lame. I loved The Village. I even was able to enjoy Lady In The Water for what it was. This thing was a giant turd though.
I wouldn't recommend anyone seeing this movie . . . . . . ever! Its a lock for the worst movies of 2008 at the end of the year.
The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk is one of the most popular superheroes of all time. In this new beginning, scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) desperately hunts for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk. Living in the shadows--cut off from a life he knew and the woman he loves, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler)--Banner struggles to avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt), and the military machinery that seeks to capture him and brutally exploit his power. As all three grapple with the secrets that led to The Hulk's creation, they are confronted with a monstrous new adversary known as The Abomination (Tim Roth), whose destructive strength exceeds even The Hulk's own.
This movie was everything that the other Hulk movie was supposed to be. Few movies have ever inspired more anger in me than the other Hulk. The Hulk was always one of my favorite comic book characters. I loved the show, I read the comic, and I still wore Hulk tshirts as a grown man. I was that guy. The original Hulk crushed me. I still can't believe that his big fight scene was against a rabid french f'n poodle. When I heard that they were making this - I wouldn't allow myself to get excited. I thought that it was way too soon after the giant turd that broke my heart came out. I heard that Ed Norton was going to play Bruce Banner and I still wouldn't let myself get excited. I saw the preview where Tim Roth looked like the ultimate bad ass soldier and I still wouldn't let myself get too excited. Just during the opening credits of this movie - I could tell that this was going to be exciting. This was going to be exactly what I wanted to see. The opening credits had shout outs to Nick Fury and Tony Stark and they showed you in a non-drawn out way how he had become the Hulk. It was just like the tv show used to be and the movie opened with Bruce Banner hiding out in Brazil. I felt like a ten year old kid all over again. It was awesome. I didn't even care that I didn't see the Hulk for almost the first hour or so. The cameos of Lou Ferigno and Stan Lee were awesome. The casting was top notch. Edward Norton, William Hurt and especially Tim Roth all put forth great performances. The action scenes had my jaw hanging open. As if all of that wasn't enough, there was the one final scene kind of like that one at the end of Iron Man that leaves you dying to see The Avengers. The way that they are marketing this thing three years in advance is off the charts amazing. Marvel as a production company might be the best thing that has ever happened to kick ass summer blockbusters since Spielberg in his prime.
I recommend everyone go and check this bad boy out. It is an absolute must see. Thank you so much, Marvel for making this movie and fixing the massive mistake from a couple of years ago.
This movie was everything that the other Hulk movie was supposed to be. Few movies have ever inspired more anger in me than the other Hulk. The Hulk was always one of my favorite comic book characters. I loved the show, I read the comic, and I still wore Hulk tshirts as a grown man. I was that guy. The original Hulk crushed me. I still can't believe that his big fight scene was against a rabid french f'n poodle. When I heard that they were making this - I wouldn't allow myself to get excited. I thought that it was way too soon after the giant turd that broke my heart came out. I heard that Ed Norton was going to play Bruce Banner and I still wouldn't let myself get excited. I saw the preview where Tim Roth looked like the ultimate bad ass soldier and I still wouldn't let myself get too excited. Just during the opening credits of this movie - I could tell that this was going to be exciting. This was going to be exactly what I wanted to see. The opening credits had shout outs to Nick Fury and Tony Stark and they showed you in a non-drawn out way how he had become the Hulk. It was just like the tv show used to be and the movie opened with Bruce Banner hiding out in Brazil. I felt like a ten year old kid all over again. It was awesome. I didn't even care that I didn't see the Hulk for almost the first hour or so. The cameos of Lou Ferigno and Stan Lee were awesome. The casting was top notch. Edward Norton, William Hurt and especially Tim Roth all put forth great performances. The action scenes had my jaw hanging open. As if all of that wasn't enough, there was the one final scene kind of like that one at the end of Iron Man that leaves you dying to see The Avengers. The way that they are marketing this thing three years in advance is off the charts amazing. Marvel as a production company might be the best thing that has ever happened to kick ass summer blockbusters since Spielberg in his prime.
I recommend everyone go and check this bad boy out. It is an absolute must see. Thank you so much, Marvel for making this movie and fixing the massive mistake from a couple of years ago.
You Don't Mess With The Zohan
In You Don't Mess With the Zohan, Adam Sandler stars as Zohan, an Israeli commando who fakes his own death in order to pursue his dream: becoming a hairstylist in New York.
This is one of the unfunniest movies I've ever seen. Honestly, I didn't go in to it expecting much. I kind of figured that any of the really funny moments were probably seen in the preview a couple hundred times before actually seeing it. But its Adam Sandler and even when he's lame - I usually still find myself laughing. Not this time. I actually kept count. I laughed once during the first hour of the movie. Once. The Zohan might have made a funny character on SNL where the skits are about ten minutes long, but this was just plain brutal. I couldn't even finish watching the movie and left after and hour and fifteen minutes. The only reason I even made it as long as I did is because it was like 110 degrees outside, my truck had no air conditioning, and I couldn't bare the thought of driving home in traffic sweating my a$$ off. That's how bad this piece of dung was. I needed a massive heat wave to entertain the thought of staying for the first 3/4 of the movie and I chose to face the environmental elements instead of seeing the ending.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Ever!
This is one of the unfunniest movies I've ever seen. Honestly, I didn't go in to it expecting much. I kind of figured that any of the really funny moments were probably seen in the preview a couple hundred times before actually seeing it. But its Adam Sandler and even when he's lame - I usually still find myself laughing. Not this time. I actually kept count. I laughed once during the first hour of the movie. Once. The Zohan might have made a funny character on SNL where the skits are about ten minutes long, but this was just plain brutal. I couldn't even finish watching the movie and left after and hour and fifteen minutes. The only reason I even made it as long as I did is because it was like 110 degrees outside, my truck had no air conditioning, and I couldn't bare the thought of driving home in traffic sweating my a$$ off. That's how bad this piece of dung was. I needed a massive heat wave to entertain the thought of staying for the first 3/4 of the movie and I chose to face the environmental elements instead of seeing the ending.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Ever!
Kung Fu Panda
Po (Jack Black) is the biggest fan of kung fu around... which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he joins the world of kung fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five—Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey—under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a kung fu master into reality? Po puts his heart — and his girth —into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.
I loved this movie. I don't know if its because of the fact that Po's girth played in to him being a hero and I one day hope that my girth can one day accomplish the same thing or if it was just Jack Black being the perfect voice casting for the character. I just did. The animation was awesome - especially the kung fu scenes. The voices of Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu and Ian McShane (aka Swaringen from Deadwood) were great as the guru and villian. This is definitely one of those animated movies that the adults can enjoy just as much, if not more than, the kids.
I strongly recommend everyone checking this bad boy out. Its totally worth the trip and price of admission.
I loved this movie. I don't know if its because of the fact that Po's girth played in to him being a hero and I one day hope that my girth can one day accomplish the same thing or if it was just Jack Black being the perfect voice casting for the character. I just did. The animation was awesome - especially the kung fu scenes. The voices of Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu and Ian McShane (aka Swaringen from Deadwood) were great as the guru and villian. This is definitely one of those animated movies that the adults can enjoy just as much, if not more than, the kids.
I strongly recommend everyone checking this bad boy out. Its totally worth the trip and price of admission.
The Strangers
The Strangers is a terrifying suspense thriller about a couple whose remote getaway becomes a place of terror when masked strangers invade. The confrontation forces Kristen and James to go far beyond what they thought themselves capable of if they hope to survive.
I find that I've been so desensitized by horror movies that they rarely are able to get to me. I find myself knowing everything thats going to happen and not really caring by the time the movie starts its climax, but WW loves horror movies so I go regardless since she goes and sees all kind of pieces of dung with me. This horror movie is one of the ones that freaked me out. I haven't been this creeped out and jumping in my seat from a movie since The Grudge. Who would have thought that having records playing in the back ground could be so freaky. I pray to god that I never see any of the masks the people were wearing or I might just pee my pants right there. I really think that the thing that got me with this movie was how they filmed key suspense parts in first person view. I felt like I was in the closet when the girl suddenly was there, you know? There were a couple of scenes like this that made me jump.
I'd strongly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys scary movies. This is one of the best ones to come out in a long, long time.
I find that I've been so desensitized by horror movies that they rarely are able to get to me. I find myself knowing everything thats going to happen and not really caring by the time the movie starts its climax, but WW loves horror movies so I go regardless since she goes and sees all kind of pieces of dung with me. This horror movie is one of the ones that freaked me out. I haven't been this creeped out and jumping in my seat from a movie since The Grudge. Who would have thought that having records playing in the back ground could be so freaky. I pray to god that I never see any of the masks the people were wearing or I might just pee my pants right there. I really think that the thing that got me with this movie was how they filmed key suspense parts in first person view. I felt like I was in the closet when the girl suddenly was there, you know? There were a couple of scenes like this that made me jump.
I'd strongly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys scary movies. This is one of the best ones to come out in a long, long time.
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