When upscale, happily unmarried San Francisco couple Kate and Brad find themselves socked in by fog on Christmas morning, their exotic vacation plans morph into the family-centric holiday they had, until now, gleefully avoided. Out of obligation—and unable to escape—they trudge to not one, not two, but four relative-choked festivities, increasingly mortified to find childhood fears raised, adolescent wounds reopened... and their very future together uncertain. As Brad counts the hours to when he can get away from their parents, step-parents, siblings and an assortment of nieces and nephews, Kate is starting to hear the ticking of a different kind of clock. And by the end of the day, she is beginning to wonder if their crazy families' choices are not so crazy after all.
Vince Vaughn has always killed me. He really has the best sarcasm delivery ever. This movie was no different. He had me laughing out loud numerous times and the couple finding out embarrassing things about each other through their families was great too. The only problem I had with this movie was that while it was hysterical for the first hour - it really hit a wall when it decided to get all serious and what not. I realized then that I was just enjoying the laughs and not the movie as a whole because once the laughs stopped I wasn't as in to the characters.
I'd still recommend that people go and check this one out. Its good laughs for the holiday season.
Changeling
Los Angeles, 1928: On a Saturday morning in a working-class suburb, Christine said goodbye to her son, Walter, and left for work. When she came home, she discovered he had vanished. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflicted emotions, Christine allows him to stay overnight. But in her heart, she knows he is not Walter. As she pushes authorities to keep looking, she learns that in Prohibition-era L.A., women don't challenge the system and live to tell their story. Slandered as delusional and unfit, Christine finds an ally in activist Reverend Briegleb (Malkovich), who helps her fight the city to look for her missing boy. Based on the actual incident that rocked California's legal system, Changeling tells the shocking tale of a mother's quest to find her son, and those who won't stop until they silence her.
This was a really good movie. Very disturbing at points, but I can't really get in to that without giving away major points of the movie. I really can't do too many of my rants about this at all without giving it away. That really stinks. I had some really good ones. Anywho, the only real knock I can make against this movie is that I thought it was going to end more times than The Fellowship Of The Ring. The whole thing about "I want my real son" that was in the preview was pretty much wrapped up halfway through the movie. She then went after the cops. But it didn't end after that. She then went after the mental institution. But it didn't end after that. There was a whole other court part that I can't really go in to. But it still didn't end after that. All the while, I couldn't stop wondering what was going on with the "fake" son and what his real parents must have been going through wondering where he was. There . . . . I fit in a rant and feel a little better.
Even with the ranting, I would still recommend this movie. Its a really good drama that keeps your attention through the multiple possible endings.
This was a really good movie. Very disturbing at points, but I can't really get in to that without giving away major points of the movie. I really can't do too many of my rants about this at all without giving it away. That really stinks. I had some really good ones. Anywho, the only real knock I can make against this movie is that I thought it was going to end more times than The Fellowship Of The Ring. The whole thing about "I want my real son" that was in the preview was pretty much wrapped up halfway through the movie. She then went after the cops. But it didn't end after that. She then went after the mental institution. But it didn't end after that. There was a whole other court part that I can't really go in to. But it still didn't end after that. All the while, I couldn't stop wondering what was going on with the "fake" son and what his real parents must have been going through wondering where he was. There . . . . I fit in a rant and feel a little better.
Even with the ranting, I would still recommend this movie. Its a really good drama that keeps your attention through the multiple possible endings.
Twilight
Twilight is a modern-day love story between a teenage girl and a vampire. Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has always been a little bit different, never caring about fitting in with the trendy girls at her Phoenix high school. When her mother re-marries and sends Bella to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she doesn't expect much of anything to change. Then she meets Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a boy unlike any she's ever met. Edward is a vampire, but he doesn't have fangs and his family is unique in that they choose not to drink human blood. Intelligent and witty, Edward sees straight into Bella's soul. Soon, they are swept up in a passionate, thrilling and unorthodox romance. To Edward, Bella is what he has waited 90 years for – a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. But what will Edward & Bella do when a clan of new vampires – James (Cam Gigandet), Laurent (Edi Gathegi) and Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre) – come to town and threaten to disrupt their way of life?
I've read all the books in this Twilight series and tried to temper my excitement for this movie. Its basically a movie made for teenage girls and their romance loving mothers. It was made by a small movie studio with a tiny budget by modern day standards. There was only so good that the movie could really be. It definitely didn't help that with the book series being finished and dying to see the end game portion of it play out on screen, you now have to watch the beginning of it all and deal with the dragging parts that you forgot about. That all being said - the movie met pretty much all of my expectations dead on. It was watchable but definitely dragged at parts. The acting was pretty dull and reading the book was definitely a necessary prerequisite to being able to enjoy the movie. I definitely think that the following movies will be a 1000 times better than this one, but taking this movie for what it really is and NOT the blockbuster that it was advertised as being makes it a better than average watch.
I'd recommend this movie to people who read the book. Then again, would anyone who read the book not see this movie? If you haven't read the book - try to see it with someone who has so they can point things out as it goes on and you aren't stuck wondering what all the hype was about.
I've read all the books in this Twilight series and tried to temper my excitement for this movie. Its basically a movie made for teenage girls and their romance loving mothers. It was made by a small movie studio with a tiny budget by modern day standards. There was only so good that the movie could really be. It definitely didn't help that with the book series being finished and dying to see the end game portion of it play out on screen, you now have to watch the beginning of it all and deal with the dragging parts that you forgot about. That all being said - the movie met pretty much all of my expectations dead on. It was watchable but definitely dragged at parts. The acting was pretty dull and reading the book was definitely a necessary prerequisite to being able to enjoy the movie. I definitely think that the following movies will be a 1000 times better than this one, but taking this movie for what it really is and NOT the blockbuster that it was advertised as being makes it a better than average watch.
I'd recommend this movie to people who read the book. Then again, would anyone who read the book not see this movie? If you haven't read the book - try to see it with someone who has so they can point things out as it goes on and you aren't stuck wondering what all the hype was about.
Quantum Of Solace
Quantum of Solace continues the high octane adventures of James Bond (Daniel Craig) in Casino Royale. Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (Judi Dench) interrogate Mr White (Jesper Christensen) who reveals the organization which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined. Forensic intelligence links an Mi6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organization. On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world's most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano (Joaquin Cosio). Using his associates in the organisation, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in a Latin American country, giving the General control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land. In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to unravel Greene's sinister plan and stop his organization.
I loved this movie. I was always a fan of Bond movies, but always found them to be more on the campy side regarding the action scenes. Not any more. This movie had some of the best (and most real looking) action scenes ever. The best part of this movie was its pacing. The only knock that I could make against Casino Royale was that it dragged tremendously at many points. This movie took right off at the beginning with an amazing car chase and didn't let off the gas at all. Dainel Craig, and his awesome gritty/rididness, further cemented himself as the second best Bond to Sean Connery. His chemistry with Judi Dench as the only person who has faith in him were great.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. It is awesome and is a must see for anyone looking for a great ride and adrenaline in a movie.
I loved this movie. I was always a fan of Bond movies, but always found them to be more on the campy side regarding the action scenes. Not any more. This movie had some of the best (and most real looking) action scenes ever. The best part of this movie was its pacing. The only knock that I could make against Casino Royale was that it dragged tremendously at many points. This movie took right off at the beginning with an amazing car chase and didn't let off the gas at all. Dainel Craig, and his awesome gritty/rididness, further cemented himself as the second best Bond to Sean Connery. His chemistry with Judi Dench as the only person who has faith in him were great.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. It is awesome and is a must see for anyone looking for a great ride and adrenaline in a movie.
Soul Men
Superstars Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac are "Soul Men" - the hilarious story of Louis (Samuel L. Jackson) and Floyd (Bernie Mac), a popular singing duo back in the day, who went their separate ways and never spoke again. When the death of their former group leader (John Legend) reunites them and sends them driving cross country for a tribute concert at the legendary Apollo Theatre, they will have only five days to bury the hatchet on a twenty-year-old grudge.
This movie was absolutely horrid. Seriously. I tried as hard as possible to tough it out because this is Bernie Mac's last piece of work. I've always found him funny and figured that I would at least laugh a couple of times during this movie. After the first 30 minutes and NO laughs whatsoever, the plug was pulled on this giant turd because my face was actually starting to hurt from holding the total disgusted look for so long. Its an absolute shame that this is the last thing that Bernie Mac will ever be in.
Stay away from this movie forever. Don't even waste the hour and a half of your life when its on cable. Its truly that bad.
This movie was absolutely horrid. Seriously. I tried as hard as possible to tough it out because this is Bernie Mac's last piece of work. I've always found him funny and figured that I would at least laugh a couple of times during this movie. After the first 30 minutes and NO laughs whatsoever, the plug was pulled on this giant turd because my face was actually starting to hurt from holding the total disgusted look for so long. Its an absolute shame that this is the last thing that Bernie Mac will ever be in.
Stay away from this movie forever. Don't even waste the hour and a half of your life when its on cable. Its truly that bad.
Bolt
From Walt Disney Pictures comes an animated comedy adventure featuring a super-dog named Bolt (voice of John Travolta), whose days are filled with danger and intrigue—at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet—a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus). Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and the help of two unlikely traveling companions—a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voice of Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (voice of Mark Walton)—Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero.
This was a very enjoyable animated Disney movie. I saw it in Digital 3d and to be completely honest, I couldn't really see how the regular version would be any different. There were no added bonuses to it being in digital 3d except for showing some extra depth during chase scenes. I'm sure that the movie would be just as great in its regular version. The story was cute and very quickly explained so the movie doesn't really drag at all. The voices were great, especially the cat and the hamster. The hamster provided all of the laughs and really stole the show.
I'd fully recommending everyone check this out. Its a fun movie and a must see for anyone with kids.
This was a very enjoyable animated Disney movie. I saw it in Digital 3d and to be completely honest, I couldn't really see how the regular version would be any different. There were no added bonuses to it being in digital 3d except for showing some extra depth during chase scenes. I'm sure that the movie would be just as great in its regular version. The story was cute and very quickly explained so the movie doesn't really drag at all. The voices were great, especially the cat and the hamster. The hamster provided all of the laughs and really stole the show.
I'd fully recommending everyone check this out. Its a fun movie and a must see for anyone with kids.
Pride And Glory
A gritty and emotional portrait of the New York City Police Department, the film follows a multi-generational police family whose moral code is tested when one of two sons on the force investigates an incendiary case involving his older brother and brother-in-law. The case forces the family to choose between their loyalties to one another and their loyalties to the department.
This is another one of those movies that is basically just a two hour special episode of a really good cop show like The Shield. It was very entertaining and watchable. It had good textbook performances by Edward Norton, Colin Farrel and Jon Voight. It just seemed to be lacking that oh my god adrenaline kick throughout the movie. There were numerous parts that got you to be watching open mouthed, but then it would dull down a bit and lose that awesome dialed in feeling.
I would still recommend people checking this out. Its definitely an entertaining movie, but they could have put more effort in to driving that adrenaline home.
This is another one of those movies that is basically just a two hour special episode of a really good cop show like The Shield. It was very entertaining and watchable. It had good textbook performances by Edward Norton, Colin Farrel and Jon Voight. It just seemed to be lacking that oh my god adrenaline kick throughout the movie. There were numerous parts that got you to be watching open mouthed, but then it would dull down a bit and lose that awesome dialed in feeling.
I would still recommend people checking this out. Its definitely an entertaining movie, but they could have put more effort in to driving that adrenaline home.
House
On a deserted back road in Alabama, Jack and Stephanie find themselves driving fast and running late. Their world suddenly changes when a strange accident leaves them stranded with no car, no cell phone coverage, and no help in sight. They have no choice except to continue on foot. As darkness approaches, they round a bend and see a small sign at the top of a long gravel driveway: The Wayside Inn.The exhausted couple stands in front of an inviting house, complete with gated stone wall, ancient oak trees, and a note welcoming weary travelers. Inside they find another couple with an equally troubling story about a similar accident. It seems that backwoods pranksters have made their day miserable. Still, they are safe...Or so they think.
I still can't for the life of me figure out why this movie was made at all - much less for the big screen. This would have been an incredibly lame made for tv movie. Its a horror movie with no real scares, no real gore, and no point whatsoever.
I wouldn't never recommend this movie to anyone. Its total poop and is a lock to show up on the ten worst of the year.
I still can't for the life of me figure out why this movie was made at all - much less for the big screen. This would have been an incredibly lame made for tv movie. Its a horror movie with no real scares, no real gore, and no point whatsoever.
I wouldn't never recommend this movie to anyone. Its total poop and is a lock to show up on the ten worst of the year.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
All the loveable characters are back - Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins - in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Left marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed plane - sort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just enough to make it to the wildest place of all - the vast plains of Africa itself - where our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. While discovering their roots, they quickly realize the difference between the concrete jungle and the heart of Africa. Despite long-lost relatives, romantic rivals and scheming hunters, Africa seems like a "crack-a-lackin" great place... but is it better than their Central Park home?
I think I actually enjoyed this movei more than the original one. I think what made it so good was that they took the smaller and funnier characters from the first one and made their roles bigger. The penguins have a much bigger part. So do the monkeys. The best move they made was incorporating the old lady that kicks the lion's ass in the first one in to this movie and juicing up her part. The only knock I'll make against this movie is that a little too much time was spent on Alex the lion when he's pretty much the least entertaining character out of all of them. Outside of that - this movie is great fun for kids as well as the adults that take them to see it.
I definitely recommend everyone checking this bad boy out. Its worth the time, money and smiles on the kids faces.
I think I actually enjoyed this movei more than the original one. I think what made it so good was that they took the smaller and funnier characters from the first one and made their roles bigger. The penguins have a much bigger part. So do the monkeys. The best move they made was incorporating the old lady that kicks the lion's ass in the first one in to this movie and juicing up her part. The only knock I'll make against this movie is that a little too much time was spent on Alex the lion when he's pretty much the least entertaining character out of all of them. Outside of that - this movie is great fun for kids as well as the adults that take them to see it.
I definitely recommend everyone checking this bad boy out. Its worth the time, money and smiles on the kids faces.
Role Models
Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott star in Role Models as Danny and Wheeler, two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program. If they can just make it through probation without getting thrown in jail, the world's worst role models will prove that, sometimes, it takes a village idiot to raise a child.
I thought this movie was beyond hysterical. This is one of the best character comedies to come out in a long time. Stifler played his usual self. Paul Rudd continues to impress me. McLovin was probably the best actor in the whole movie and the little kid that played Ronnie had me belly laughing the whole time. The movie is of course totally formula and you know everything that's going to happen the whole time but you still find yourself laughing uncontrollably at the one-liners and gags. The way that the four of them were dressed at the end of this movie had tears rolling down my face I was laughing so hard.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. Its a much welcomed laugh fest out in theaters.
I thought this movie was beyond hysterical. This is one of the best character comedies to come out in a long time. Stifler played his usual self. Paul Rudd continues to impress me. McLovin was probably the best actor in the whole movie and the little kid that played Ronnie had me belly laughing the whole time. The movie is of course totally formula and you know everything that's going to happen the whole time but you still find yourself laughing uncontrollably at the one-liners and gags. The way that the four of them were dressed at the end of this movie had tears rolling down my face I was laughing so hard.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. Its a much welcomed laugh fest out in theaters.
Zack And Miri Make A Porno
Lifelong friends and roommates Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are facing hard times and a mountain of debt. When the electricity and plumbing get cut off, they seize upon the idea of making a homegrown porno movie for some quick cash, enlisting the help of their friends. The two vow that having sex will not ruin their friendship. But as filming begins, what started out as a business proposition between friends turns into something much more.
This movie could have been so much funnier and so much more heartwarming at the end if they didn't have to push the sex envelope so far. I really hate when movies do that. Especially movies like this that could have been such quality without it. My favorite sex comedies are the ones that talk about it and imply it but once you actually see it happening so much of the humor is lost. You can't laugh at thinking about it when you are more shocked that its taking place right in front of you. The movie wasn't horrible. It had some pretty big laughs and great characters (especially the guy that plays Daryl on The Office). I don't know if its looking through things with parenting eyes or what, but I get really turned off when movies go so over the top with pushing the limit like this.
I would recommend that anyone who really wanted to see this based on the preview go and check it out. Anyone who was on the fence about it - do not see it.
This movie could have been so much funnier and so much more heartwarming at the end if they didn't have to push the sex envelope so far. I really hate when movies do that. Especially movies like this that could have been such quality without it. My favorite sex comedies are the ones that talk about it and imply it but once you actually see it happening so much of the humor is lost. You can't laugh at thinking about it when you are more shocked that its taking place right in front of you. The movie wasn't horrible. It had some pretty big laughs and great characters (especially the guy that plays Daryl on The Office). I don't know if its looking through things with parenting eyes or what, but I get really turned off when movies go so over the top with pushing the limit like this.
I would recommend that anyone who really wanted to see this based on the preview go and check it out. Anyone who was on the fence about it - do not see it.
The Secret Life Of Bees
The Secret Life of Bees, based on the New York Times best selling novel and set in South Carolina in 1964, is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping.
This is one of those movies that I know was a good movie - especially if you like those heart string character dramas, but I just wasn't that in to it. The performances were very diverse and well done for character drama standards. Dakota Fanning continues to impress and I still get such a kick out of seeing how far Queen Latifah has come from being all gangsta rap back and the day. It wasn't a bad movie at all, but I just found myself very bored with it and wanting it to end so I could move on to something else.
I'd still recommend that anyone who was really interested in seeing this go check it out. It just wasn't really my kind of movie I guess.
This is one of those movies that I know was a good movie - especially if you like those heart string character dramas, but I just wasn't that in to it. The performances were very diverse and well done for character drama standards. Dakota Fanning continues to impress and I still get such a kick out of seeing how far Queen Latifah has come from being all gangsta rap back and the day. It wasn't a bad movie at all, but I just found myself very bored with it and wanting it to end so I could move on to something else.
I'd still recommend that anyone who was really interested in seeing this go check it out. It just wasn't really my kind of movie I guess.
RockNRolla
When a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, millions of dollars are up for grabs, and all of London's criminal underworld wants in on the action. Everyone from a dangerous crime lord to a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and down-on-their-luck petty thieves conspire, collude and collide with one another in an effort to get rich quick.
There were a lot of really great characters in this movie. It was a massive collection of quirky gangsters. Unfortunately, the movie was too choppy and all over the place for me to really enjoy it as much as I wanted to. There was really no reason at all for this movie to be two hours long. The crazy back and forth really took a lot away from the movie as a whole even though parts of it were awesome and the characters really kept your interests piqued. While its a decent watch, its not really on par with Guy Ritchie's other great movies.
I'd lukewarmly recommend this movie to people. Its not really worth a trip to theaters but might make a decent rental.
There were a lot of really great characters in this movie. It was a massive collection of quirky gangsters. Unfortunately, the movie was too choppy and all over the place for me to really enjoy it as much as I wanted to. There was really no reason at all for this movie to be two hours long. The crazy back and forth really took a lot away from the movie as a whole even though parts of it were awesome and the characters really kept your interests piqued. While its a decent watch, its not really on par with Guy Ritchie's other great movies.
I'd lukewarmly recommend this movie to people. Its not really worth a trip to theaters but might make a decent rental.
Saw V
In the fifth installment of the "Saw" franchise, Hoffman is seemingly the last person alive to carry on the Jigsaw legacy. But when his secret is threatened, Hoffman must go on the hunt to eliminate all loose ends.
Holy disappointment, Saw franchise!!! What the hell was the deal with this giant turd. I don't want to sound like the biggest Saw franchise fan. The movies are so disgustingly gory and the writers have to have psychopath files in some behavioral analysis unit at the FBI. However, the ups and downs of the scripts and the story line tie ups at the end of the previous 4 Saw movies were awesome. This one not only toned down on the gore, but it also had the most predictable ending. In all of the other four Saw movies, you have that "Oooooohhhh" moment at the end as it all plays out just before the credits hit. I had this one figured out twenty minutes in to the movie. I kept thinking that it was too obvious and there would be a big swerve. When it played out just the way that we saw it going - I was totally disappointed.
I wouldn't recommend anyone checking this one out. It was a big pile of disappointing poop. This one is by far and away the worst movie of the franchise.
Holy disappointment, Saw franchise!!! What the hell was the deal with this giant turd. I don't want to sound like the biggest Saw franchise fan. The movies are so disgustingly gory and the writers have to have psychopath files in some behavioral analysis unit at the FBI. However, the ups and downs of the scripts and the story line tie ups at the end of the previous 4 Saw movies were awesome. This one not only toned down on the gore, but it also had the most predictable ending. In all of the other four Saw movies, you have that "Oooooohhhh" moment at the end as it all plays out just before the credits hit. I had this one figured out twenty minutes in to the movie. I kept thinking that it was too obvious and there would be a big swerve. When it played out just the way that we saw it going - I was totally disappointed.
I wouldn't recommend anyone checking this one out. It was a big pile of disappointing poop. This one is by far and away the worst movie of the franchise.
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