An attack on the vulnerable United States computer infrastructure begins to shut down the entire nation. The mysterious figure behind the shattering scheme has figured out every digital angle - but he never figured an old-fashioned, "analog" fly-in-the-ointment: John McClane.
This is one of those perfect summer popcorn movies. The action scenes in this movie were amazing! I couldn't believe how many times I caught myself watching the movie with my mouth wide open in complete shock of what I was seeing up there on the screen. To make the movie even better the sarcastic banter between Bruce Willis and Justin Long (the hacker that he is trying to protect) as well as that between Willis and Timothy Olyphant (the bad guy) are priceless. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times throughout the movie. The only knock that I would make against the movie from a nostalgic point of view is that the movie is watered down compared to the other Die Hard movies because they wanted to get the PG-13 rating. Due to this, there isn't as much bloodshed. There are lots of explosions and numerous people die but you don't see the end result as much as you would have in the rest of the movie franchise. Bruce Willis doesn't even fully finish his Yippy Kay Yay line. On the flip side of the PG-13 rating, WW and I took two of the future stepkids to see this movie with us since it wasn't rated R and they absolutely loved it. Senor Skidmarkio kept yelling "Whoa!" thoughout the movie and I'd much rather see him enjoying it then seeing the bullets actually hit the bad guys.
This movie kicked some major a$$ and I strongly recommend it to all. I was skeptical when I heard that they were trying to revive this movie, but it was extremely entertaining and worthy of being made.
1408
The only demons in room 1408 are those within you. Renowned horror novelist Mike Enslin (Cusack) only believes what he can see with his own two eyes. After a string of bestsellers discrediting paranormal events in the most infamous haunted houses and graveyards around the world, he scoffs at the concept of an afterlife. Enslin's phantom-free run of long and lonely nights is about to change forever when he checks into suite 1408 of the notorious Dolphin Hotel for his latest project, "Ten Nights in Haunted Hotel Rooms." Defying the warnings of the hotel manager (Jackson), the author is the first person in years to stay in the reputedly haunted room. Another bestseller may be iminent, but like all Stephen King heroes, Enslin must go from skeptic to true believer – and ultimately survive the night.
I had read this short story of Stephen King's and was very interested to see how they were going to turn it in to a full length movie. John Cusack has been my favorite actor since Better Off Dead and One Crazy Summer, and has always been totally underappreciated as an actor. He was great in this one. What really made this movie was the build up of fear. It wasn't gory. Although there were a couple of sudden flashes in your face scenes - it wasn't one of those scare you by making you jump out of your seat movies either. It just had this constant feeling of apprehension that had you sitting on the edge of your seat and really wanting to know what was going to happen next. It was a smart thriller that didn't lean on mutilation or cheap thrills. It was basically a breath of fresh air scary movie.
I strongly recommend people checking this one out. I hope that Hollywood can take the cue from this movie and stop the gore porn stuff and make more movies like this.
I had read this short story of Stephen King's and was very interested to see how they were going to turn it in to a full length movie. John Cusack has been my favorite actor since Better Off Dead and One Crazy Summer, and has always been totally underappreciated as an actor. He was great in this one. What really made this movie was the build up of fear. It wasn't gory. Although there were a couple of sudden flashes in your face scenes - it wasn't one of those scare you by making you jump out of your seat movies either. It just had this constant feeling of apprehension that had you sitting on the edge of your seat and really wanting to know what was going to happen next. It was a smart thriller that didn't lean on mutilation or cheap thrills. It was basically a breath of fresh air scary movie.
I strongly recommend people checking this one out. I hope that Hollywood can take the cue from this movie and stop the gore porn stuff and make more movies like this.
Evan Almighty
Steve Carell reprises his role as Evan Baxter -- the polished, preening newscaster of the first film -- who finds himself the next one anointed by God (Morgan Freeman) to accomplish a holy mission.Newly elected to Congress, Evan leaves Buffalo behind and shepherds his family to suburban northern Virginia. Once there, his life gets turned upside-down when God appears and mysteriously commands him to build an ark. But his befuddled wife (Lauren Graham) and kids just can't decide whether Evan is having an extraordinary mid-life crisis or is truly onto something of Biblical proportions.
I went in to this movie expecting complete corn and a blatant sequel that was made solely for money. I figured that the only funny parts would be the parts from the commercial and that it would be a total waste of time. However, I think that between having really low expectations and totally underestimating the ability of Steve Carell to make me laugh no matter what he's doing I ended up thinking that the movie was somewhat decent and watchable. It is by no means an all out laugh riot or a must see, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. To be completely honest - it's actually a really good family movie and that alone makes it worth the price of admission.
I wouldn't all out recommend this movie to anyone because you really have seen the movie just by watching the commercial, but its worth the trip for the family.
I went in to this movie expecting complete corn and a blatant sequel that was made solely for money. I figured that the only funny parts would be the parts from the commercial and that it would be a total waste of time. However, I think that between having really low expectations and totally underestimating the ability of Steve Carell to make me laugh no matter what he's doing I ended up thinking that the movie was somewhat decent and watchable. It is by no means an all out laugh riot or a must see, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. To be completely honest - it's actually a really good family movie and that alone makes it worth the price of admission.
I wouldn't all out recommend this movie to anyone because you really have seen the movie just by watching the commercial, but its worth the trip for the family.
Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew follows Nancy (Emma Roberts) as she accompanies her father, Carson Drew (Tate Donovan), to Los Angeles on one of his business trips and stumbles across evidence about a long-unsolved crime involving the mysterious death of a beautiful movie star. Nancy's resourcefulness and personal responsibility are put to the test when she finds herself in the middle of the fast-living, self-indulgent world of Hollywood.
This movie is a big juicy turd for adults. However, we went and checked it out because the future stepdaughter wanted to see it so I guess that her opinion is really the only one that mattered. She liked it alot (as did the future stepson who probably wouldn't want to admit it out loud), wasn't bored, and will probably want us to waste our money on the dvd when it comes out. It was basically like a movie length episode of Hannah Montana, The Suite Life or That's So Raven on the Disney Channel. If you have kids that like those shows - they will definitely like this movie. Unfortunately, you probably won't.
If you have a younger child who is in to the aforementioned shows, then it's worth the trip to the theaters for them to enjoy it. You adults can just enjoy a nap or something.
P.S. - G Money, don't you go threatening me to become "deli meat" because of the bad review for ADULTS. I said that you would like it, my dear. Please no harrassing phone calls. Thanks. :)
This movie is a big juicy turd for adults. However, we went and checked it out because the future stepdaughter wanted to see it so I guess that her opinion is really the only one that mattered. She liked it alot (as did the future stepson who probably wouldn't want to admit it out loud), wasn't bored, and will probably want us to waste our money on the dvd when it comes out. It was basically like a movie length episode of Hannah Montana, The Suite Life or That's So Raven on the Disney Channel. If you have kids that like those shows - they will definitely like this movie. Unfortunately, you probably won't.
If you have a younger child who is in to the aforementioned shows, then it's worth the trip to the theaters for them to enjoy it. You adults can just enjoy a nap or something.
P.S. - G Money, don't you go threatening me to become "deli meat" because of the bad review for ADULTS. I said that you would like it, my dear. Please no harrassing phone calls. Thanks. :)
Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer
Marvel's The Fantastic Four meet their greatest challenge yet in Fantastic Four: Rise of The Silver Surfer as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. As the Silver Surfer races around the globe wreaking havoc, Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben must unravel the mystery of the Silver Surfer and confront the surprising return of their mortal enemy, Dr. Doom, before all hope is lost.
This was a pretty enjoyable movie. I wouldn't say that it was greatness in comic book movies like Spider-Man or Batman, but it was still pretty good. I actually thought that it was better than the original Fantastic Four. The action scenes were a lot better and much less campy looking and the story line was more than decent considering that it was a sequel. The thing that really made this movie for me, just like in the original, was the casting of Chris Evans as the Human Torch and his camaraderie with Thing. The two of them are hysterical together and the Human Torch's cockiness is priceless.
It's not the greatest comic movie ever made, but it is more than worth the trip to the theater so you can enjoy a simple action movie with great effects and some big laughs.
This was a pretty enjoyable movie. I wouldn't say that it was greatness in comic book movies like Spider-Man or Batman, but it was still pretty good. I actually thought that it was better than the original Fantastic Four. The action scenes were a lot better and much less campy looking and the story line was more than decent considering that it was a sequel. The thing that really made this movie for me, just like in the original, was the casting of Chris Evans as the Human Torch and his camaraderie with Thing. The two of them are hysterical together and the Human Torch's cockiness is priceless.
It's not the greatest comic movie ever made, but it is more than worth the trip to the theater so you can enjoy a simple action movie with great effects and some big laughs.
Surf's Up
Surf's Up is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film, a documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive, heartbreaking and dangerous display of surfing known to man, the Penguin World Surfing Championship.
This was a really good family film. The surfing animation was great and the voices for the characters (especially Napolean Dynamite as the chicken) were really good. The story had a lesson for kids of things NOT being all about winning that should make most parents glad that they took their kids. I wouldn't say that it is a "Shrek" type of animated movie, but it was a worthwhile trip to the theater.
I'd recommend that everyone check out this movie, especially those of you with the kiddies.
This was a really good family film. The surfing animation was great and the voices for the characters (especially Napolean Dynamite as the chicken) were really good. The story had a lesson for kids of things NOT being all about winning that should make most parents glad that they took their kids. I wouldn't say that it is a "Shrek" type of animated movie, but it was a worthwhile trip to the theater.
I'd recommend that everyone check out this movie, especially those of you with the kiddies.
Ocean's Thirteen
Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and the gang would have only one reason to pull off their most ambitious and risky casino heist—to defend one of their own. When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses one of the original Ocean's eleven—Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould)—Danny and the gang team up one more time to see if they can break "the Bank."
I have this habit of buying a lot of DVDs. The part that is really annoying is how I will rarely ever sit down and watch them. One of the few movies that I bought and actually did watch a ton of times on DVD was Ocean's Eleven. I thought the movie was awesome. The camaraderie between all the actors/characters was priceless and the casual twist and turns in the writing were awesome. I was so psyched when they decided to make Ocean's Twelve and couldn't wait to see it. Unfortunately, the movie was horrible. I couldn't believe how bad it was. When I heard they were making Ocean's Thirteen, I figured for sure that it was just a waste of time and that they were just doing it for more money. However, this is totally the movie that should have been Ocean's Twelve. It was just like the original one. The camaraderie was back. The fast pace story line was back. The sharp wit and one liners were great. This movie was awesome. Why in the blue hell did they put that juicy turn in between this movie and the first one?
I fully recommend everyone go check this one out. It's pure fun at the movies and makes you leave the theater with a smile on your face.
I have this habit of buying a lot of DVDs. The part that is really annoying is how I will rarely ever sit down and watch them. One of the few movies that I bought and actually did watch a ton of times on DVD was Ocean's Eleven. I thought the movie was awesome. The camaraderie between all the actors/characters was priceless and the casual twist and turns in the writing were awesome. I was so psyched when they decided to make Ocean's Twelve and couldn't wait to see it. Unfortunately, the movie was horrible. I couldn't believe how bad it was. When I heard they were making Ocean's Thirteen, I figured for sure that it was just a waste of time and that they were just doing it for more money. However, this is totally the movie that should have been Ocean's Twelve. It was just like the original one. The camaraderie was back. The fast pace story line was back. The sharp wit and one liners were great. This movie was awesome. Why in the blue hell did they put that juicy turn in between this movie and the first one?
I fully recommend everyone go check this one out. It's pure fun at the movies and makes you leave the theater with a smile on your face.
Mr. Brooks
Mr. Brooks is a successful businessman, a generous philanthropist, a loving father and devoted husband. Seemingly, he's perfect. But Mr. Brooks has a secret -- he is an insatiable serial killer, so lethally clever that no one has ever suspected him -- until now. Kevin Costner stars as Earl Brooks, a man who has managed to keep his two incompatible worlds from intersecting by controlling his cunning, wicked alter ego Marshall (William Hurt) whom he blames for his wrongdoings. But now, as Mr. Brooks succumbs to one last murderous urge, an amateur photographer (Dane Cook) witnesses the crime. Suddenly Brooks finds himself entangled in the dark agenda of an opportunistic bystander, as well as hunted by the unorthodox and tenacious detective Tracy Atwood (Demi Moore). Can Mr. Brooks outsmart his adversaries and conceal his shocking double life from his wife (Marg Helgenberger) and daughter (Danielle Panabaker) or will someone expose his crimes and his identity once and for all in this unpredictable and electrifying new thriller.
This movie played out like a really good James Patterson book. It wasn't extremely high quality, but you like it nonetheless. It's not like the acting or writing was phenomenal. It was mostly over the top and corny at times, but it was all done in a way that keep your eyes fixed on the screen and your mind interested in what was going on. It was a "thriller" type movie that you didn't have to blow your mind thinking it through and is quite enjoyable.
I would fully recommend anyone checking this movie out. It's worth the price of admission.
This movie played out like a really good James Patterson book. It wasn't extremely high quality, but you like it nonetheless. It's not like the acting or writing was phenomenal. It was mostly over the top and corny at times, but it was all done in a way that keep your eyes fixed on the screen and your mind interested in what was going on. It was a "thriller" type movie that you didn't have to blow your mind thinking it through and is quite enjoyable.
I would fully recommend anyone checking this movie out. It's worth the price of admission.
Knocked Up
Allison Scott (Heigl) is an up-and-coming entertainment journalist whose 24-year-old life is on the fast track. But it gets seriously derailed when a drunken one-nighter with slacker Ben Stone (Rogen) results in an unwanted pregnancy. Faced with the prospect of going it alone or getting to know the baby's father, Allison decides to give the lovable doof a chance. An overgrown kid who has no desire to settle down, Ben learns that he has a big decision to make with his kid's mom-to-be: will he hit the road or stay in the picture?
I went in to this movie with very high expectations of it being beyond hysterical. Unfortunately, while there were some funny parts and some good one-liners, it wasn't too rooted in the realm of hysterical. It was one of those movies that starts out as a sophomoric comedy but ends up a heartwarming drama. Maybe I just don't get the sit around and get stoned out of your mind thing as being really humorous like the character of Ben and his friends. That might have taken away from the humor for me. Putting that aside though, the heartwarming part is because of the really well developed and likable characters, especially Ben and Alison's sister and brother in law. They really kind of carried the movie to decency for me.
I would lukewarmly recommend people checking this movie out. It wasn't awesome. It wasn't horrible. It's a somewhat better than average viewing though.
I went in to this movie with very high expectations of it being beyond hysterical. Unfortunately, while there were some funny parts and some good one-liners, it wasn't too rooted in the realm of hysterical. It was one of those movies that starts out as a sophomoric comedy but ends up a heartwarming drama. Maybe I just don't get the sit around and get stoned out of your mind thing as being really humorous like the character of Ben and his friends. That might have taken away from the humor for me. Putting that aside though, the heartwarming part is because of the really well developed and likable characters, especially Ben and Alison's sister and brother in law. They really kind of carried the movie to decency for me.
I would lukewarmly recommend people checking this movie out. It wasn't awesome. It wasn't horrible. It's a somewhat better than average viewing though.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End
In Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End, we find our heroes Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) allied with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) in a desperate quest to free Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from his mind-bending trap in Davy Jones' locker – while the terrifying ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman and Davy Jones, under the control of the East India Trading Company, wreaks havoc across the Seven Seas. Navigating through treachery, betrayal and wild waters, they must forge their way to exotic Singapore and confront the cunning Chinese Pirate Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat). Now headed beyond the very ends of the earth, each must ultimately choose a side in a final, titanic battle – as not only their lives and fortunes, but the entire future of the freedom-loving Pirate way, hangs in the balance.
The original Pirates movie is one of the all time best popcorn/enjoyable movies ever. I've always been a huge Pirates Of The Caribbean fan as the ride at Disney World was always my favorite. I also loved Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the greatest movie characters ever put on screen. All that being said, I was kind of setting myself up to be disappointed with this movie. After being somewhat let down by the other big 3's to recently come out (Spider-Man and Shrek), I figured this would go down that same road. Thankfully, I was dead wrong. While the story was pretty convoluted at times with all the side switching of the characters and I really had no clue what was going on at one point, I still absolutely loved this movie. This is the type of movie that you love not because it's very well done, written or acted, but simply because you enjoy it from beginning to end. The movie was nearly 3 hours long and I didn't look at my phone once to see what time it was. Not to mention that all of the characters (not just the three main ones) are so well developed in this trilogy of Pirates movie that you enjoy watching them just as much, if not more, than the central characters. Hell - I was beyond psyched to see the scenes with the monkey for christ's sake.
I fully recommend everyone check this movie out (like anyone wouldn't anyway) and proudly give it the Mr. Cinco must see stamp of approval.
The original Pirates movie is one of the all time best popcorn/enjoyable movies ever. I've always been a huge Pirates Of The Caribbean fan as the ride at Disney World was always my favorite. I also loved Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the greatest movie characters ever put on screen. All that being said, I was kind of setting myself up to be disappointed with this movie. After being somewhat let down by the other big 3's to recently come out (Spider-Man and Shrek), I figured this would go down that same road. Thankfully, I was dead wrong. While the story was pretty convoluted at times with all the side switching of the characters and I really had no clue what was going on at one point, I still absolutely loved this movie. This is the type of movie that you love not because it's very well done, written or acted, but simply because you enjoy it from beginning to end. The movie was nearly 3 hours long and I didn't look at my phone once to see what time it was. Not to mention that all of the characters (not just the three main ones) are so well developed in this trilogy of Pirates movie that you enjoy watching them just as much, if not more, than the central characters. Hell - I was beyond psyched to see the scenes with the monkey for christ's sake.
I fully recommend everyone check this movie out (like anyone wouldn't anyway) and proudly give it the Mr. Cinco must see stamp of approval.
Shrek The Third
When Shrek married Princess Fiona, becoming the next King and Queen of Far, Far Away wasn't part of the plan. So when his father-in-law, King Harold, falls ill, it is up to Shrek to find a suitable heir or he will be forced to give up his beloved swamp for the throne. Recruiting Donkey and Puss In Boots for a new quest, Shrek sets out to bring back the rightful heir to the throne, Fiona's rebellious cousin Artie. Back in Far, Far Away, Fiona's jilted Prince Charming storms the city with an army of fairy tale villains to seize the throne. But they have a surprise in store because Fiona, together with her mother, Queen Lillian, has drafted her fellow fairy tale heroines to defend their "happily ever afters." As Shrek, Donkey and Puss work on changing Artie from a royal pain in the you-know-what into a future king, Fiona and her band of princesses must stop Prince Charming to ensure there will be a kingdom left to rule.
The original Shrek is one of my favorite movies of all time. I actually tend to base all animated movies on whether or not they are on the same level of amazing child AND adult enjoyment as Shrek does. Shrek 2 was awesome as well. It didn't have that retread feel and the writing/humor was just as good as the first one. I enjoyed Shrek The Third very much. Unfortunately, I definitely got the retread vibe. There were times where it even seemed kind of like a direct to video sequel. The movie wasn't horrible. It was very watchable and quite enjoyable at times. It definitely was the worst of the three though by far.
There is no way that I wouldn't recommend people checking this one out. It's a Shrek movie, people! My only advice is to go in to it with mediocre expectations.
The original Shrek is one of my favorite movies of all time. I actually tend to base all animated movies on whether or not they are on the same level of amazing child AND adult enjoyment as Shrek does. Shrek 2 was awesome as well. It didn't have that retread feel and the writing/humor was just as good as the first one. I enjoyed Shrek The Third very much. Unfortunately, I definitely got the retread vibe. There were times where it even seemed kind of like a direct to video sequel. The movie wasn't horrible. It was very watchable and quite enjoyable at times. It definitely was the worst of the three though by far.
There is no way that I wouldn't recommend people checking this one out. It's a Shrek movie, people! My only advice is to go in to it with mediocre expectations.
28 Weeks Later
Six months after the rage virus has annihilated the British Isles (from 28 Days Later), the US Army declares that the war against infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin. In the first wave of returning refugees, a family is reunited -- but one of them unwittingly carries a terrible secret. The virus is not yet dead, and this time, it is more dangerous than ever.
I've always been a big fan of zombie movies and really liked the first movie. This is your run of the mill sequel. If you haven't seen the first one - you shouldn't bother touching this one because it's a blatant prerequisite to seeing it. It basically picks up 7 months after where the other one left off. In total, it was a pretty decent movie. I wouldn't say it's awesome or that it was horrible. It's comfortably right in the middle. The zombie scenes are great . . . . . although I could do without the new fascination that zombie movies have with the vomitting blood thing. Just have them look creepy and chase after the good guys. That's enough for me. No exorcist like projectile vomitting needed . . . . . . EVER! Anywho, the thing that held the movie back was the dramatic storyline. It wasn't horrid, but it definitely leaned towards the realm of blah. Especially since it was all dependent on our sympathies for the two kids. As far as I'm concerned, it was the two of them that brought the outbreak back so they could have died horribly and I would have been totally fine with it.
I would casually recommend this movie to any horror fan. It was a decent watch, but not a must see by any means.
I've always been a big fan of zombie movies and really liked the first movie. This is your run of the mill sequel. If you haven't seen the first one - you shouldn't bother touching this one because it's a blatant prerequisite to seeing it. It basically picks up 7 months after where the other one left off. In total, it was a pretty decent movie. I wouldn't say it's awesome or that it was horrible. It's comfortably right in the middle. The zombie scenes are great . . . . . although I could do without the new fascination that zombie movies have with the vomitting blood thing. Just have them look creepy and chase after the good guys. That's enough for me. No exorcist like projectile vomitting needed . . . . . . EVER! Anywho, the thing that held the movie back was the dramatic storyline. It wasn't horrid, but it definitely leaned towards the realm of blah. Especially since it was all dependent on our sympathies for the two kids. As far as I'm concerned, it was the two of them that brought the outbreak back so they could have died horribly and I would have been totally fine with it.
I would casually recommend this movie to any horror fan. It was a decent watch, but not a must see by any means.
Spider-Man 3
In Spider-Man 3, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. When his suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black and enhancing his powers, it transforms Peter as well, bringing out the dark, vengeful side of his personality that he is struggling to control. Under the influence of the suit, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to neglect the people who care about him most. Forced to choose between the seductive power of the new suit and the compassionate hero he used to be, Peter must overcome his personal demons as two of the most-feared villains yet, Sandman and Venom, gather unparalleled power and a thirst for retribution to threaten Peter and everyone he loves.
Before going off on any rants, let me be sure to say that this is not a bad movie. It's definitely watchable/entertaining. The effects are great and it's worth the price of admission. This is just one of those movies that your expectations ruin the movie. I was pretty disappointed in parts of this movie. There was no need for it to be 2 hours and 30 minutes. If given access to the editing room, I could easily cut it down to an hour and 45 minutes. The villains were awesome and the story build up of the two new ones as well as the new Goblin and Spidey were great. The problem was the obsessing about how the black suit changed Spidey. All that he had to do was yell at Mary Jane or Aunt May once and we would have gotten the point. Instead of simply doing that, they went so over the top that we have a whole lot of screen time devoted to Peter Parker with a lot of eye makeup and darker hair (a true sign of the dark side apparantly) and there was even a spiteful dance scene done by Spidey. Seriously? I'd like to never witness that scene again. Again - the movie as a whole is not bad. There are just a couple of really lame parts within the whole that hold the movie back.
Regardless, I would still recommend people checking this one out. Like I really have to? I'm pretty sure everyone and their mother will be seeing this at some point no matter what.
Before going off on any rants, let me be sure to say that this is not a bad movie. It's definitely watchable/entertaining. The effects are great and it's worth the price of admission. This is just one of those movies that your expectations ruin the movie. I was pretty disappointed in parts of this movie. There was no need for it to be 2 hours and 30 minutes. If given access to the editing room, I could easily cut it down to an hour and 45 minutes. The villains were awesome and the story build up of the two new ones as well as the new Goblin and Spidey were great. The problem was the obsessing about how the black suit changed Spidey. All that he had to do was yell at Mary Jane or Aunt May once and we would have gotten the point. Instead of simply doing that, they went so over the top that we have a whole lot of screen time devoted to Peter Parker with a lot of eye makeup and darker hair (a true sign of the dark side apparantly) and there was even a spiteful dance scene done by Spidey. Seriously? I'd like to never witness that scene again. Again - the movie as a whole is not bad. There are just a couple of really lame parts within the whole that hold the movie back.
Regardless, I would still recommend people checking this one out. Like I really have to? I'm pretty sure everyone and their mother will be seeing this at some point no matter what.
Next
In Next, Nicolas Cage plays a man with the unique ability to see future events and affect their outcome. Relentlessly pursued by the FBI, which is seeking to use his abilities to prevent a global terrorist threat, he is ultimately faced with the daunting choice of saving the world or the woman he loves.
This movie was advertised as a non-stop action flick with a decent premise and legitamate actors in it. Unfortunately, there was pretty much no action whatsoever in what I saw and I pulled the plug after about an hour of suffering. Many thanks to WW for agreeing to pull the plug. She truly is glorious! Anywho, the movie was nowhere near glorious. It was downright putrid. I didn't care about Nicolas Cage or the woman he loves . . . . . whom he just met yesterday. If the character could really see to the next two minutes of his future, I wonder if he knew that I was going to walk out?
I would never recommend this movie to anyone . . . . . ever. I won't even bother watching the last twenty minutes when this bad boy ends up on cable becuase it was such poop.
This movie was advertised as a non-stop action flick with a decent premise and legitamate actors in it. Unfortunately, there was pretty much no action whatsoever in what I saw and I pulled the plug after about an hour of suffering. Many thanks to WW for agreeing to pull the plug. She truly is glorious! Anywho, the movie was nowhere near glorious. It was downright putrid. I didn't care about Nicolas Cage or the woman he loves . . . . . whom he just met yesterday. If the character could really see to the next two minutes of his future, I wonder if he knew that I was going to walk out?
I would never recommend this movie to anyone . . . . . ever. I won't even bother watching the last twenty minutes when this bad boy ends up on cable becuase it was such poop.
Hot Fuzz
Hot Fuzz is the action/comedy from the makers of the hit movie Shaun of the Dead. Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He's so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel's superiors send him to a place where his talents won't be quite so embarrassing -- the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police officer Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). The son of amiable Police Chief Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent), Danny is a huge action movie fan and believes his new big-city partner might just be a real-life "bad boy," and his chance to experience the life of gunfights and car chases he so longs for. Angel is quick to dismiss this as childish fantasy and Danny's puppy-like enthusiasm only adds to Angel's growing frustration. However, as a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and as the intrigue deepens, Danny's dreams of explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gunfighting, all-out action seem more and more like a reality. It's time for these small-town cops to break out some big-city justice.
This movie was hyterical. I loved Shaun Of The Dead, but I thought this movie was twice as good. The best part of it was that it felt like you were watching a parody of action movies (a la Airplane or Scary Movie) with the way that it was written and acted, but it really wasn't. I'm not sure how much sense that makes, but it was awesome watching them basically mock themselves while going through the actual story line. The two main guys played off of each other just as great as they did in Shaun Of The Dead. I'm so glad that I checked this movie out and didn't wait for rental.
I fully recommend this movie to all. It's very funny and is one of the better movies in theaters right now.
This movie was hyterical. I loved Shaun Of The Dead, but I thought this movie was twice as good. The best part of it was that it felt like you were watching a parody of action movies (a la Airplane or Scary Movie) with the way that it was written and acted, but it really wasn't. I'm not sure how much sense that makes, but it was awesome watching them basically mock themselves while going through the actual story line. The two main guys played off of each other just as great as they did in Shaun Of The Dead. I'm so glad that I checked this movie out and didn't wait for rental.
I fully recommend this movie to all. It's very funny and is one of the better movies in theaters right now.
The Invisible
The Invisible is a supernatural thriller about a writer who finds himself trapped between the world of the living and the dead-completely invisible to the living. Nick (Justin Chatwin) has a bright future until he is brutally attacked and left for dead. Now in limbo, his only chance to live again is to figure out the mystery of what happened to him and why, before his time runs out. But how do you solve a murder, when the victim is you?
Memo to Hollywood . . . . . . . . STOP MAKING PG-13 "Thrillers"!!! There is a serious problem with movies like this. Because they are trying to keep it at a PG-13 rating, these movies are totally watered down and not thrilling in any way shape or form. I'm not saying that a movie has to be gory or ultra-violent, but movies just aren't as good as they could be when you are holding them back as much as these types of movies are. I would say that the two Grudge movies and the first Ring movie were the only ones that were able to hold their weight. Outside of that - it's non-stop visits to the theater to watch the same movie over and over again and regardless of how it turns out you simply don't care at all by the time it gets there.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. The preview looked great, but the movie itself was poop.
Memo to Hollywood . . . . . . . . STOP MAKING PG-13 "Thrillers"!!! There is a serious problem with movies like this. Because they are trying to keep it at a PG-13 rating, these movies are totally watered down and not thrilling in any way shape or form. I'm not saying that a movie has to be gory or ultra-violent, but movies just aren't as good as they could be when you are holding them back as much as these types of movies are. I would say that the two Grudge movies and the first Ring movie were the only ones that were able to hold their weight. Outside of that - it's non-stop visits to the theater to watch the same movie over and over again and regardless of how it turns out you simply don't care at all by the time it gets there.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. The preview looked great, but the movie itself was poop.
Fracture
Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling star in the dramatic thriller Fracture. When a meticulous structural engineer (Hopkins) is found innocent of the attempted murder of his wife (Embeth Davidtz), the young district attorney (Gosling) who is prosecuting him becomes a crusader for justice. Fracture is packed with twists and turns that weave in and out of the courtroom as the pair try to outwit each other.
I liked this movie a lot. Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins played amazingly well off of each other. The drama between the two of them along with the rooting for Ryan Gosling to convict Anthony Hopkins really kept you interested all the way through. The only two things that I would knock this movie for was that it was a little bit too long and that I had figured out the big swerve that they kept building up to during the movie 15 minutes in to the movie so it wasn't nearly as dramatic when they revealed it. That being said - this is definitely a worthwhile courtroom drama.
I recommend this movie for viewing. You don't have to rush out there and check it out immediately, but it is worth the price of admission.
I liked this movie a lot. Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins played amazingly well off of each other. The drama between the two of them along with the rooting for Ryan Gosling to convict Anthony Hopkins really kept you interested all the way through. The only two things that I would knock this movie for was that it was a little bit too long and that I had figured out the big swerve that they kept building up to during the movie 15 minutes in to the movie so it wasn't nearly as dramatic when they revealed it. That being said - this is definitely a worthwhile courtroom drama.
I recommend this movie for viewing. You don't have to rush out there and check it out immediately, but it is worth the price of admission.
Vacancy
When David (Luke Wilson) and Amy Fox's (Kate Beckinsale) car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, they are forced to spend the night at the only motel around, with only the TV to entertain them... until they discover that the low-budget slasher movies they're watching were all filmed in the very room they're sitting in. With hidden cameras now aimed at them... trapping them in rooms, crawlspaces, underground tunnels... and filming their every move, David and Amy must struggle to get out alive before whomever is watching them can finish their latest masterpiece.
This is one of those creepy movies that totally sticks with you. I know that I will be completely paranoid should I ever be in a similar position like the main characters were here. I wish that Hollywood would take note of this movie because I would love nothing more than for all thrillers to be a hell of a lot more like this movie. It wasn't gory. It wasn't corny. It was just very creepy all the way through.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. That goes especially for thriller lovers like WW and myself. You guys will love it!
This is one of those creepy movies that totally sticks with you. I know that I will be completely paranoid should I ever be in a similar position like the main characters were here. I wish that Hollywood would take note of this movie because I would love nothing more than for all thrillers to be a hell of a lot more like this movie. It wasn't gory. It wasn't corny. It was just very creepy all the way through.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. That goes especially for thriller lovers like WW and myself. You guys will love it!
Pathfinder
An action-adventure set in the time when Vikings tried to conquer North America, Pathfinder tells the heroic story of a young Norse boy left behind after his clan shipwrecks on the Eastern shores. Despite his lineage, the boy is raised by the very Indians his kinsmen set out to destroy. Now, as the Vikings return to stage another barbaric raid on his village, the 25 year-old Norse warrior (Karl Urban) wages a personal war to stop the Vikings' trail of death and destruction. Forging his own path, his destiny is revealed and his identity re-claimed.
It is very rare that I can talk WW in to leaving a movie because of how atrociously bad it is. This pile of dung was actually bad enough for her to give in. I didn't expect it to be any good since the movie has had its release date pushed back over and over again for a year and a half. However, I never thought it would be this stupid. The lead guy didn't even have a single line in the hour that we sat through. As for the speed of the story line - Holy Fast Forward, Batman! The boy was left by Vikings and picked up by Indians. The words said "15 years later" on the screen. Vikings came back and killed the dude's village people. The dude started killing Vikings. He hid in the water. He jumped off a horse. He took a couple out while sledding down a snowy mountain. Then WW graced me with us leaving. Walking out was totally the best part of this movie trip.
Never see this. Any of you. Trust me on this one.
It is very rare that I can talk WW in to leaving a movie because of how atrociously bad it is. This pile of dung was actually bad enough for her to give in. I didn't expect it to be any good since the movie has had its release date pushed back over and over again for a year and a half. However, I never thought it would be this stupid. The lead guy didn't even have a single line in the hour that we sat through. As for the speed of the story line - Holy Fast Forward, Batman! The boy was left by Vikings and picked up by Indians. The words said "15 years later" on the screen. Vikings came back and killed the dude's village people. The dude started killing Vikings. He hid in the water. He jumped off a horse. He took a couple out while sledding down a snowy mountain. Then WW graced me with us leaving. Walking out was totally the best part of this movie trip.
Never see this. Any of you. Trust me on this one.
Disturbia
After his father's death, Kale (Shia LaBeouf) becomes sullen, withdrawn, and troubled - so much so that he finds himself under a court-ordered sentence of house arrest. His mother, Julie (Carrie-Anne Moss), works night and day to support herself and her son, only to be met with indifference and lethargy.The walls of his house begin to close in on Kale. He becomes a voyeur as his interests turn outside the windows of his suburban home towards those of his neighbors, one of which Kale begins to suspect is a serial killer. But, are his suspicions merely the product of cabin fever and his overactive imagination?
Be warned that there is a scene in the first 10 minutes of this movie that leaves your jaw on the floor. That being said - this movie was pretty good. It could have been a lot better if they would have gone straight to the suspense portion of the movie. It was a little bit of a corny, teeny-bopper, I like the girl who lives next door to me for a while there but became really good once he started zeroing in on the possible serial killer neighbor. This kid Shia LaBeouf probably has a pretty good future ahead of him. He seems to have that "it" quality. And the guy that played the creepy neighbor (I think his name is David Morse) has always been really good in supporting roles and is appropriately creepy in this role.
I would recommend people checking this bad boy out. It's not a must see but it's worth the trip to the theater.
Be warned that there is a scene in the first 10 minutes of this movie that leaves your jaw on the floor. That being said - this movie was pretty good. It could have been a lot better if they would have gone straight to the suspense portion of the movie. It was a little bit of a corny, teeny-bopper, I like the girl who lives next door to me for a while there but became really good once he started zeroing in on the possible serial killer neighbor. This kid Shia LaBeouf probably has a pretty good future ahead of him. He seems to have that "it" quality. And the guy that played the creepy neighbor (I think his name is David Morse) has always been really good in supporting roles and is appropriately creepy in this role.
I would recommend people checking this bad boy out. It's not a must see but it's worth the trip to the theater.
Perfect Stranger
Perfect Stranger asks the question: how far would you go to keep a secret? When investigative reporter Rowena Price (Halle Berry) learns that her friend's murder might be connected to powerful ad executive Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), she goes undercover with the help of her associate, Miles Hailey (Giovanni Ribisi). Posing as Katherine, a temp at Hill's agency, and Veronica, a girl Hill flirts with online, Rowena surrounds her prey from all sides, only to discover that she isn't the only one changing identities. The closer Rowena gets to finding the truth, the more we see how far people will go to protect it.
This movie was outright horrible. The acting was crap, the story was poop, and the pacing was some of the most absurd stuff I've ever seen. The movie started off in fast forward and unless you had seen the preview numerous times - wouldn't really have the slightest clue what was going on or who was who. Then, when it came time for the buildup portion of the story, the movie went in to slow motion . . . . . so much so that I ended up taking a nap. Then when it got to the end - the movie (according to WW due to my aforementioned nappage) went rapid fire to explain everything in one of those Sixth Sense like flashback/swerve things. What in the blue hell made Halle Berry and Bruce Willis do this movie?
I wouldn't recommend anyone ever checking this one out. It was a steaming pile of dung and not even my nap was that enjoyable because it was still on when I woke up. Stay clear, peeps!
This movie was outright horrible. The acting was crap, the story was poop, and the pacing was some of the most absurd stuff I've ever seen. The movie started off in fast forward and unless you had seen the preview numerous times - wouldn't really have the slightest clue what was going on or who was who. Then, when it came time for the buildup portion of the story, the movie went in to slow motion . . . . . so much so that I ended up taking a nap. Then when it got to the end - the movie (according to WW due to my aforementioned nappage) went rapid fire to explain everything in one of those Sixth Sense like flashback/swerve things. What in the blue hell made Halle Berry and Bruce Willis do this movie?
I wouldn't recommend anyone ever checking this one out. It was a steaming pile of dung and not even my nap was that enjoyable because it was still on when I woke up. Stay clear, peeps!
The Reaping
In The Reaping, Hilary Swank plays a former Christian missionary who lost her faith after her family was tragically killed, and has since become a world renowned expert in disproving religious phenomena. But when she investigates a small Louisiana town that is suffering from what appear to be the Biblical plagues, she realizes that science cannot explain what is happening and she must regain her faith to combat the dark forces threatening the community.
I really don't know what to think about this movie. I didn't hate it . . . . but I didn't like it too much either. It was just kind of there. I think I didn't like it too much because I kept thinking how it could have been so much better. It was a great premise, but seemed to be very rushed and thrown together without the proper build-up attention that it should have been given. I didn't hate it because it was watchable and because the movie being so rushed was too short to end up hating it. Not sure how much this review helps at all.
All of that being said - I really don't know whether to recommend this movie or not. You might just be better off saving the money/time and waiting to rent this bad boy.
I really don't know what to think about this movie. I didn't hate it . . . . but I didn't like it too much either. It was just kind of there. I think I didn't like it too much because I kept thinking how it could have been so much better. It was a great premise, but seemed to be very rushed and thrown together without the proper build-up attention that it should have been given. I didn't hate it because it was watchable and because the movie being so rushed was too short to end up hating it. Not sure how much this review helps at all.
All of that being said - I really don't know whether to recommend this movie or not. You might just be better off saving the money/time and waiting to rent this bad boy.
Are We Done Yet?
Are We Done Yet? is a follow-up to the 2005 family comedy Are We There Yet? and picks up where the last story left off. Now married to Suzanne (Nia Long), Nick Persons (Ice Cube) has bought a quiet suburban house to escape the rat race of the big city and to provide more space for his new wife and kids Lindsey and Kevin (Aleisha Allen and Philip Daniel Bolden). But when his new home quickly becomes a costly "fixer upper" and he finds himself at the mercy of an eccentric contractor (John C. McGinley), Nick's suburban dream soon becomes a riotous nightmare.
This movie is basically the exact same thing as the first movie. Its the same laughs, the same falls, and the same story build up and end. There really wasn't any reason for it to be made except to make some easy money off of family movie-goers. However, if you liked the first one - you will like this one just as much. My future stepchildren Stinka and Chub Shady enjoyed it and to be honest - that's really all that matters with these movies.
I'd recommend this movie to anyone with kids or anyone who saw and liked the first one. If that's the case, you will leave the theater just as satisfied as you were with the original.
This movie is basically the exact same thing as the first movie. Its the same laughs, the same falls, and the same story build up and end. There really wasn't any reason for it to be made except to make some easy money off of family movie-goers. However, if you liked the first one - you will like this one just as much. My future stepchildren Stinka and Chub Shady enjoyed it and to be honest - that's really all that matters with these movies.
I'd recommend this movie to anyone with kids or anyone who saw and liked the first one. If that's the case, you will leave the theater just as satisfied as you were with the original.
Firehouse Dog
The world's most famous – and Hollywood's most pampered – pooch is separated from his owner and ends up as the mascot of a hapless fire station. There, he helps a 12-year-old boy and his father, a veteran fire chief, turn the station into the city's finest.
This was an incredibly cute movie. I took Stinka (the future stepdaughter) to see this and we both absolutely loved it. It's the textbook family movie with some really big laughs. If you are looking for cinematic excellence and what not - this is NOT the movie to go see. It's corny, silly, and formula. However, if you have kids or are a pet lover and want to simply enjoy two hours - this is the perfect movie to venture out and see.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more to people with kids. Go see it right now, people!
This was an incredibly cute movie. I took Stinka (the future stepdaughter) to see this and we both absolutely loved it. It's the textbook family movie with some really big laughs. If you are looking for cinematic excellence and what not - this is NOT the movie to go see. It's corny, silly, and formula. However, if you have kids or are a pet lover and want to simply enjoy two hours - this is the perfect movie to venture out and see.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more to people with kids. Go see it right now, people!
Meet The Robinsons
Lewis is an orphan who dreams of finding a family. His journey takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson whisks him away to a world where anything is possible... THE FUTURE. There, he meets an incredible assortment of characters and a family beyond his wildest imagination, The Robinsons, who help lead him on an amazing and hilarious adventure with heartfelt results.
I saw this movie in Disney Digital 3-D so seeing it was worth it just on that alone. There were a couple of really cool 3-D moments sprinkled in there. As for the movie itself, it was pretty good. There were some really big laughs and some of the quirky characters were really good. The only knock that I would make against it is that it actually seemed to move a little too fast and was a bit scattered at times. Not that the adults couldn't keep up, but this is a kids movie that relied on a lot of stuff that was over their heads. The only other knock would be that there were too many characters in the family and not enough time was spent getting to know them. They were just flashed in front of you and then gone. Those two negative comments aside, I did like the movie as a whole and so did the posse of minis that came with us to check this one out.
I would recommend this to all. It's a cute family movie and kids are sure to enjoy it. If you have the chance to see the movie in 3-D, you should definitely do so.
I saw this movie in Disney Digital 3-D so seeing it was worth it just on that alone. There were a couple of really cool 3-D moments sprinkled in there. As for the movie itself, it was pretty good. There were some really big laughs and some of the quirky characters were really good. The only knock that I would make against it is that it actually seemed to move a little too fast and was a bit scattered at times. Not that the adults couldn't keep up, but this is a kids movie that relied on a lot of stuff that was over their heads. The only other knock would be that there were too many characters in the family and not enough time was spent getting to know them. They were just flashed in front of you and then gone. Those two negative comments aside, I did like the movie as a whole and so did the posse of minis that came with us to check this one out.
I would recommend this to all. It's a cute family movie and kids are sure to enjoy it. If you have the chance to see the movie in 3-D, you should definitely do so.
The Lookout
The Lookout is an intelligent crime drama centered around Chris, a once promising high school athlete whose life is turned upside down following a tragic accident. As he tries to maintain a normal life, he takes a job as a janitor at a bank where he ultimately finds himself caught up in a planned heist.
This movie was great. Suspense movies to me are the hardest things to pull off in Hollywood. 95% of the time they either end up really lame, don't have enough juice to keep you interested, or you couldn't care less about any of the characters. This movie was in the other 5% of suspense movies. You find yourself genuinely caring for the main guy and his blind friend (Jeff Daniels). It's the type of movie where you don't take your eyes of the screen. It's perfectly paced and even when you kind of figured out exactly what was going to happen, you still want to see it play itself out.
I fully recommend that everyone check this one out. I don't think it will be in theaters too long causing you to probably have to wait until rental, but it is definitely one of the best movies out right now.
This movie was great. Suspense movies to me are the hardest things to pull off in Hollywood. 95% of the time they either end up really lame, don't have enough juice to keep you interested, or you couldn't care less about any of the characters. This movie was in the other 5% of suspense movies. You find yourself genuinely caring for the main guy and his blind friend (Jeff Daniels). It's the type of movie where you don't take your eyes of the screen. It's perfectly paced and even when you kind of figured out exactly what was going to happen, you still want to see it play itself out.
I fully recommend that everyone check this one out. I don't think it will be in theaters too long causing you to probably have to wait until rental, but it is definitely one of the best movies out right now.
Blades Of Glory
When rival figure skaters Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) go ballistic in an embarrassing, no-holds-barred fight at the World Championships, they are stripped of their gold medals and banned from the sport for life. Now, three-and-a-half years on, they've found a loophole that will allow them to compete: if they can put aside their differences, they can skate together – in pairs' figure skating.
OH MY GOD! This might have been one of the funniest movies ever. I was crying from laughing and so was WW. As long as you take this movie for what it is - a completely silly laugh riot - there is no way you can't like this movie. It definitely helps that the filmmakers don't bother trying to take this movie seriously, but the duo of Will Ferrel and Jon Heder (although everyone and their mother knows him as Napolean Dynamite) are hilarious. Their facial reactions, the skating costumes/music, and thier one liners are all classic and the way that both of them speak are priceless.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. This movie is one of the biggest laugh fests I've had in a movie theater in a long time. Get out there now and see it, people!
OH MY GOD! This might have been one of the funniest movies ever. I was crying from laughing and so was WW. As long as you take this movie for what it is - a completely silly laugh riot - there is no way you can't like this movie. It definitely helps that the filmmakers don't bother trying to take this movie seriously, but the duo of Will Ferrel and Jon Heder (although everyone and their mother knows him as Napolean Dynamite) are hilarious. Their facial reactions, the skating costumes/music, and thier one liners are all classic and the way that both of them speak are priceless.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. This movie is one of the biggest laugh fests I've had in a movie theater in a long time. Get out there now and see it, people!
Shooter
Shooter is an action-packed thriller starring Mark Wahlberg as Bob Lee Swagger, a former Army sniper who leaves the military after a mission goes bad. After he is reluctantly pressed back into service, Swagger is double-crossed again. With two bullets in him and the subject of a nationwide manhunt, Swagger begins his revenge, which will take down the most powerful people in the country.
This movie is your typical action/revenge movie a la Steven Segal in the 80s. Dude gets screwed and he wants payback at all costs. Conveniently all of his bullets hit the target while all the ones aimed at him miss. All kidding aside, the movie wasn't that bad. It was totally formula but it was watchable. The only thing that I wasn't a really big fan of was that it was 2 hours long. This easily could have been an hour and a half or an hour and 45 minutes and it would have been much better.
I would recommend this to people. It's nowhere near a must see but it is definitely watchable if you are in to these kinds of movies.
This movie is your typical action/revenge movie a la Steven Segal in the 80s. Dude gets screwed and he wants payback at all costs. Conveniently all of his bullets hit the target while all the ones aimed at him miss. All kidding aside, the movie wasn't that bad. It was totally formula but it was watchable. The only thing that I wasn't a really big fan of was that it was 2 hours long. This easily could have been an hour and a half or an hour and 45 minutes and it would have been much better.
I would recommend this to people. It's nowhere near a must see but it is definitely watchable if you are in to these kinds of movies.
Reign Over Me
In Reign Over Me, two former college roommates Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) and Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle) run into each other years later and rekindle their friendship. Charlie, who recently lost his wife and children in 9/11, has retreated from his life, while Alan is overwhelmed by his family and professional responsibilities. Their chance meeting becomes a lifeline for Charlie and Alan, both of whom are in need of a trusted friend at this pivotal moment in their lives.
This was a very heartwarming movie. I have never remotely thought of Adam Sandler as a legit actor, but he was great in this one. I would have loved to just cut his mop of a hairdo, but I digress. Don Cheadle was also great, but when is that man not awesome? This movie really did a great job of showing how something as traumatic as 9/11 can hit people and effect those around him that are trying to help. The other two things that I really liked about this movie was the music and the shots of Manhattan. When used right, music can make you actually feel like you are a part of a movie and I love when that happens. It usually makes me come home and download a bunch of the songs. The shots of Manhattan while Adam Sandler was riding around on his Go-ped were phenomenal. They were done so well that I remembered the last time I had walked past that particular spot.
I would fully recommend this movie to everyone. Unfortunately, it didn't open too wide and probably won't be out that long so checking it out of video might be a little more realistic.
This was a very heartwarming movie. I have never remotely thought of Adam Sandler as a legit actor, but he was great in this one. I would have loved to just cut his mop of a hairdo, but I digress. Don Cheadle was also great, but when is that man not awesome? This movie really did a great job of showing how something as traumatic as 9/11 can hit people and effect those around him that are trying to help. The other two things that I really liked about this movie was the music and the shots of Manhattan. When used right, music can make you actually feel like you are a part of a movie and I love when that happens. It usually makes me come home and download a bunch of the songs. The shots of Manhattan while Adam Sandler was riding around on his Go-ped were phenomenal. They were done so well that I remembered the last time I had walked past that particular spot.
I would fully recommend this movie to everyone. Unfortunately, it didn't open too wide and probably won't be out that long so checking it out of video might be a little more realistic.
The Hills Have Eyes 2
This is the sequel to the 2006 horror re-make, The Hills Have Eyes. The storyline follows a group of young National Guard trainees who are attacked by mutants during a training mission in the New Mexico desert.
Basically, what happens in Hollywood with horror movies is that if a low budget gore fest makes 40 million dollars - the studio is so psyched that they decide to cast a bunch of craptastic actors, have a bunch of senseless gore, and don't bother with a screenplay just so that they can get a putrid sequel out in theaters as fast possible to try and make another 40 million dollars. Hence . . . . The Hills Have Eyes 2. The first movie was silly, but at least it was a witless, lost family against the mutants. In this one they are up against a troop of OUR NATIONAL GUARD . . . . with proper training . . . . and machine guns. As if that alone wasn't demoralizing enough, the senseless gore is so outrageous. For example, the movie starts off with the grossest child birth scene I've ever seen and there is even one scene where a guys climbs out of porta-potty . . . . FROM INSIDE THE TOILET! This movie was absolutely horrid.
I wouldn't recommend anyone seeing this. Not even horror buffs. They will leave the theater just as annoyed as the rest of us.
Basically, what happens in Hollywood with horror movies is that if a low budget gore fest makes 40 million dollars - the studio is so psyched that they decide to cast a bunch of craptastic actors, have a bunch of senseless gore, and don't bother with a screenplay just so that they can get a putrid sequel out in theaters as fast possible to try and make another 40 million dollars. Hence . . . . The Hills Have Eyes 2. The first movie was silly, but at least it was a witless, lost family against the mutants. In this one they are up against a troop of OUR NATIONAL GUARD . . . . with proper training . . . . and machine guns. As if that alone wasn't demoralizing enough, the senseless gore is so outrageous. For example, the movie starts off with the grossest child birth scene I've ever seen and there is even one scene where a guys climbs out of porta-potty . . . . FROM INSIDE THE TOILET! This movie was absolutely horrid.
I wouldn't recommend anyone seeing this. Not even horror buffs. They will leave the theater just as annoyed as the rest of us.
The Last Mimzy
The Last Mimzy tells the story of two children who discover a mysterious box that contains some strange devices they think are toys. As the children play with these "toys," they begin to display higher and higher intelligence levels. Their teacher tells their parents that they seem to have grown beyond genius. Their parents, too, realize something extraordinary is happening. Emma, the younger of the two, tells her confused mother that one of the toys, a beat-up stuffed toy rabbit, is named Mimzy and that "she teaches me things."As Emma's mom becomes increasingly concerned, a blackout shuts down the city and the government traces the source of the power surge to Emma's family's house. Things quickly spin wildly out of their control. The children are focused on these strange objects, Mimzy, and the important mission on which they seem to have been sent. When the little girl says that Mimzy contains a most serious message from the future, a scientific scan shows that Mimzy is part extremely high level electronic, and part organic and the children's destiny is to get Mimzy back to where she belongs.
This movie was like a lower scaled E.T. You find yourself immediately liking the two kids and hoping that things work out for them . . . . . and Mimzy. It's the type of movie where you don't even realize you are watching very heavy science fiction. That is the best kind of science fiction as far as I'm concerned. The story moved along very well and the adults were great in their supporting roles. WW and I liked this movie just as much as my future stepdaughter and "niece" . . . . . actually we probably enjoyed it even more than them so this movie definitely reaches to all audiences. It was just a simple, enjoyable ride of a movie.
I would recommend this movie for everyone. It's a feel good/great family movie and you should all check it out.
This movie was like a lower scaled E.T. You find yourself immediately liking the two kids and hoping that things work out for them . . . . . and Mimzy. It's the type of movie where you don't even realize you are watching very heavy science fiction. That is the best kind of science fiction as far as I'm concerned. The story moved along very well and the adults were great in their supporting roles. WW and I liked this movie just as much as my future stepdaughter and "niece" . . . . . actually we probably enjoyed it even more than them so this movie definitely reaches to all audiences. It was just a simple, enjoyable ride of a movie.
I would recommend this movie for everyone. It's a feel good/great family movie and you should all check it out.
TMNT
After the defeat of their old arch nemesis, The Shredder, the Turtles have grown apart as a family. Struggling to keep them together, their rat sensei, Master Splinter, becomes worried when strange things begin to brew in New York City. Tech-industrialist Max Winters is amassing an army of ancient monsters to apparently take over the world. And only one super-ninja fighting team can stop them—those heroes in a half shell—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael. With the help of old allies April O'Neil and Casey Jones, the Turtles are in for the fight of their lives as they once again must face the mysterious Foot Clan, who have put their own ninja skills behind Winters' endeavors.
I was a big fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT in today's world for some reason) when I was younger. I loved the first movie even though it was a bunch of guys in birthday party entertainment suits. I was a little bit skeptical about this one since it was going to be animated, but the animation was awesome. It was done so well that when you are watching the fight scenes you actually felt like you were watching a real movie. The storyline was interesting enough to keep the adults attention, but the bottom line is that this movie is for the kids. Even though the story seemed a little too thick at the beginning - the kids will love this movie.
I very strongly recommend that anyone with kids take them to see this. It's one of those movies that isn't an absolute horror for the adults to sit though as well.
I was a big fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT in today's world for some reason) when I was younger. I loved the first movie even though it was a bunch of guys in birthday party entertainment suits. I was a little bit skeptical about this one since it was going to be animated, but the animation was awesome. It was done so well that when you are watching the fight scenes you actually felt like you were watching a real movie. The storyline was interesting enough to keep the adults attention, but the bottom line is that this movie is for the kids. Even though the story seemed a little too thick at the beginning - the kids will love this movie.
I very strongly recommend that anyone with kids take them to see this. It's one of those movies that isn't an absolute horror for the adults to sit though as well.
Dead Silence
Newlyweds Jamie (Kwanten) and Lisa Ashen have established a new life for themselves far from their hometown of Ravens Fair--a sleepy, near-forgotten blip on the map haunted by late-night whispers and ghost stories from generations past. But when his wife is gruesomely murdered, Jamie reluctantly returns to Ravens Fair for the funeral, intent on unraveling the mystery surrounding her death. Once back under his family's roof, reunited with his ill father (Gunton) and his father's new young bride (Valletta), Jamie begins to explore the creepy town and encounters the legend of Mary Shaw, a famous murdered ventriloquist whose presence still casts a pall over Ravens Fair. Himself the lead suspect in his wife's murder, Jamie is forced to dig deep into the town's bloody past for answers, where he soon uncovers the truth behind the curse that ended Lisa's life...and threatens to take his as well.
The preview for this movie was the scariest thing I've seen since The Grudge. I was literally afraid of the preview. I had super high expectations for the movie because of this, and I'd have to say that the movie didn't really meet them. However, the movie was still plenty good enough for me to have loved it. That's a pretty rare occurance and I must give kudos to the filmmakers for being able to pull that off. There were plenty of moments in the movie that made both WW and I jump or cover our eyes because let's be honest people that there are few things scarier than creepy old people and creepy dolls.
I fully recommend people checking this out . . . . . especially horror buffs. The best part is the last five minutes when it all ties together. I actually want to go see this again because of that.
The preview for this movie was the scariest thing I've seen since The Grudge. I was literally afraid of the preview. I had super high expectations for the movie because of this, and I'd have to say that the movie didn't really meet them. However, the movie was still plenty good enough for me to have loved it. That's a pretty rare occurance and I must give kudos to the filmmakers for being able to pull that off. There were plenty of moments in the movie that made both WW and I jump or cover our eyes because let's be honest people that there are few things scarier than creepy old people and creepy dolls.
I fully recommend people checking this out . . . . . especially horror buffs. The best part is the last five minutes when it all ties together. I actually want to go see this again because of that.
Premonition
Linda Hanson (Sandra Bullock) has a beautiful house, a loving husband and two adorable daughters. Her life is perfect, until the day she receives the devastating news that her husband Jim (Julian McMahon) has died in a car accident. When she wakes up the next morning to find him alive and well, she assumes it was all a dream, but is shaken by how vivid it felt. She soon realizes it wasn't a dream, and her world is turned upside down as the surreal circumstances lead her to discover that her perfect life may not have been all that it appeared. Desperate to save her family, Linda begins a furious race against time and fate to try and preserve everything that she and Jim have built together.
I'm not really sure what to think about this movie. There were points in the movie where I really liked it, there were parts where I thought it was kind of blah, and there were points where I wasn't completely sure what was going on. It was a little bit too all over the place. If they would have tightened it up a bit - this could have been a really kick ass movie. WW and I didn't hate it, but definitely thought it could have been better. I can't really say too much more without giving stuff away so I will leave it at that.
I don't fully recommend everyone checking this one out, but if you don't have anything to do and want to see it - it's worth the trip.
I'm not really sure what to think about this movie. There were points in the movie where I really liked it, there were parts where I thought it was kind of blah, and there were points where I wasn't completely sure what was going on. It was a little bit too all over the place. If they would have tightened it up a bit - this could have been a really kick ass movie. WW and I didn't hate it, but definitely thought it could have been better. I can't really say too much more without giving stuff away so I will leave it at that.
I don't fully recommend everyone checking this one out, but if you don't have anything to do and want to see it - it's worth the trip.
The Host
Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) works at a food-stand on the banks of the Han River. Dozing on the job, he is awakened by his daughter, Hyun-seo ( Ah-sung Ko), who is angry with him for missing a teacher-parent meeting at school. As Gang-du walks out to the riverbank with a delivery, he notices that a large crowd of people has gathered, taking pictures and talking about something hanging from the Han River Bridge. The otherwise idyllic landscape turns suddenly to bedlam when a terrifying creature climbs up onto the riverbank and begins to crush and eat people. Gang-du and his daughter run for their lives but suddenly the thing grabs Hyun-seo and disappears back into the river. The government announces that the thing apparently is the Host of an unidentified virus. Having feared the worst, Gang-du receives a phone call from his daughter who is frightened, but very much alive. Gang-du makes plans to infiltrate the forbidden zone near the Han River to rescue his daughter from the clutches of the horrifying monster.
I don't know if anyone has even heard of this movie, but I happened to check out the trailer for it because it was attached to my blog (FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT ANY OF THESE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, PEOPLE!), so WW decided to go and check it out. This movie is the dictionary definition of a tale of two halves. The first half of this movie was awesome. The monster attack scenes were great, and let's face it that besides Aliens and Predator - those types of scenes usually screw the pooch. This movie nailed it though. Also, you find yourself falling totally in love with the goofy/dysfunctional family that has decided to find their taken young one and the monster. Unfortunately, about half way through the movie it goes from being totally kick ass to completely boring and assinying, and I found myself staring more at my watch than the movie wondering how much longer was left.
I wouldn't really recommend this movie to anyone in theaters. Not that it really matters anyway because it's barely playing anywhere. It's somewhat worth checking out on rental though because the first half of the movie really was great. Damn them for not finishing it that well!!!
I don't know if anyone has even heard of this movie, but I happened to check out the trailer for it because it was attached to my blog (FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT ANY OF THESE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, PEOPLE!), so WW decided to go and check it out. This movie is the dictionary definition of a tale of two halves. The first half of this movie was awesome. The monster attack scenes were great, and let's face it that besides Aliens and Predator - those types of scenes usually screw the pooch. This movie nailed it though. Also, you find yourself falling totally in love with the goofy/dysfunctional family that has decided to find their taken young one and the monster. Unfortunately, about half way through the movie it goes from being totally kick ass to completely boring and assinying, and I found myself staring more at my watch than the movie wondering how much longer was left.
I wouldn't really recommend this movie to anyone in theaters. Not that it really matters anyway because it's barely playing anywhere. It's somewhat worth checking out on rental though because the first half of the movie really was great. Damn them for not finishing it that well!!!
300
Based on the epic graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy. The film brings Miller's acclaimed graphic novel to life by combining live action with virtual backgrounds that capture his distinct vision of this ancient historic tale.
This movie is pretty much worth going to see just because of how it looks visually. It was so well put together from a sight standpoint. The fight scenes are also very well choreographed. Gerard Butler was awesome as King Leonidas. His delivery (while blatantly overdramatic most of the time) was great and his occasional sarcastic comments made you laugh your ass off. Unfortunately, after you get past the visual feel of the movie and the main character, there really wasn't much else. The movie lacked the necessary flow that make movies like Gladiator or Braveheart classics. There was too much dead space because of the lacking flow and you find yourself asking historical questions that, for me, make me end up laughing at the movie instead of taking it seriously. Were the Persians card carrying members of Mr. T fan club? Were the Persians basically a bunch of circus freaks that fought wars with the 10 foot tall king, the crab clawed man, the charging rhinos that looked like they were borrowed from The Lord Of The Rings, and the turncoat hunchback? Can anyone say Sparta or Spartans without yelling? Did the Spartans really think that the best way to go in to battle was with bright red banana hammocks and capes? . . . . . no protective armor? . . . . . . or even a top for that matter? Anywho, I digress.
The movie was by no means horrible. It was pretty watchable, but nowhere near the level of great epic classics. I would lukewarmly recommend people checking it out based on its phenomenal visual appearance, but be warned that the story might bore you a bit.
This movie is pretty much worth going to see just because of how it looks visually. It was so well put together from a sight standpoint. The fight scenes are also very well choreographed. Gerard Butler was awesome as King Leonidas. His delivery (while blatantly overdramatic most of the time) was great and his occasional sarcastic comments made you laugh your ass off. Unfortunately, after you get past the visual feel of the movie and the main character, there really wasn't much else. The movie lacked the necessary flow that make movies like Gladiator or Braveheart classics. There was too much dead space because of the lacking flow and you find yourself asking historical questions that, for me, make me end up laughing at the movie instead of taking it seriously. Were the Persians card carrying members of Mr. T fan club? Were the Persians basically a bunch of circus freaks that fought wars with the 10 foot tall king, the crab clawed man, the charging rhinos that looked like they were borrowed from The Lord Of The Rings, and the turncoat hunchback? Can anyone say Sparta or Spartans without yelling? Did the Spartans really think that the best way to go in to battle was with bright red banana hammocks and capes? . . . . . no protective armor? . . . . . . or even a top for that matter? Anywho, I digress.
The movie was by no means horrible. It was pretty watchable, but nowhere near the level of great epic classics. I would lukewarmly recommend people checking it out based on its phenomenal visual appearance, but be warned that the story might bore you a bit.
Music & Lyrics
Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) is a washed-up 80s pop star who's been reduced to working the nostalgia circuit at county fairs and amusement parks. The charismatic and talented musician gets a chance at a comeback when reigning diva Cora Corman invites him to write and record a duet with her, but there's a problem—Alex hasn't written a song in years, he's never written lyrics, and he has to come up with a hit in a matter of days. Enter Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), Alex's quirky plant lady, whose flair for words strikes a chord with the struggling songwriter. On the rebound from a bad relationship, Sophie is reluctant to collaborate with anyone, especially commitment-phobe Alex. As their chemistry heats up at the piano and under it, Alex and Sophie will have to face their fears—and the music—if they want to find the love and success they both deserve.
This was a pretty good date movie. It's beyond predictable, but more than worth watching anyway. Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are actually really good together. His quick wit and delivery suit this movie very well and some of the supporting characters (Brad Garrett and Kristen Johnson) are also very funny. The constant references to the 80s has been stuff are priceless and the actual music video from the group Pop shown at the beginning and end of the movie are totally worth the price of admission by itself.
I would recommend this movie to all. It's a cute date movie and there are some really huge laughs in it.
This was a pretty good date movie. It's beyond predictable, but more than worth watching anyway. Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are actually really good together. His quick wit and delivery suit this movie very well and some of the supporting characters (Brad Garrett and Kristen Johnson) are also very funny. The constant references to the 80s has been stuff are priceless and the actual music video from the group Pop shown at the beginning and end of the movie are totally worth the price of admission by itself.
I would recommend this movie to all. It's a cute date movie and there are some really huge laughs in it.
Wild Hogs
Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy hit the road in this comedy-adventure about a group of middle-aged friends who decide to rev up their routine suburban lives with a freewheeling motorcycle trip. Taking a long dreamed-of breather from their stressful jobs and family responsibilities, they can't wait to feel the freedom of the open road. When this mis-matched foursome, who have grown far more used to the couch than the saddle, set out for this once-in-a-lifetime experience - they encounter a world that holds far more than they ever bargained for. The trip begins to challenge their wits and their luck, especially during a chance run-in with the Del Fuegos, a real-life biker gang who are less than amused with their novice approach. As they go looking for adventure, they soon find that they've embarked on a journey they will never forget.
This movie was just plain fun. I remember when movies like this used to come out more often. I truly miss them. Today's comedies either rotate around sophmoric humor, T&A, or holier than though sarcasm. Simple comedic writing has so sadly faded away. This movie brings it right back. It was just a whole lot of fun watching and laughing to this movie. You find yourself loving the four characters and pulling for them as if they were your actual friends. As far as the level of funniness, I haven't belly laughed like this in a movie theater in a long time.
I truly loved this movie and couldn't possibly recommend it more to everyone. It's simple, it's fun, and it's hysterical. Go see it right now!
This movie was just plain fun. I remember when movies like this used to come out more often. I truly miss them. Today's comedies either rotate around sophmoric humor, T&A, or holier than though sarcasm. Simple comedic writing has so sadly faded away. This movie brings it right back. It was just a whole lot of fun watching and laughing to this movie. You find yourself loving the four characters and pulling for them as if they were your actual friends. As far as the level of funniness, I haven't belly laughed like this in a movie theater in a long time.
I truly loved this movie and couldn't possibly recommend it more to everyone. It's simple, it's fun, and it's hysterical. Go see it right now!
Zodiac
Based on the actual case files of one of the biggest unsolved crimes in the nation's history, Zodiac is a thriller from David Fincher, director of Seven and Fight Club. As a serial killer terrifies the San Francisco Bay Area and taunts police with his ciphers and letters, investigators in four jurisdictions search for the murderer. The case will become an obsession for four men as their lives and careers are built and destroyed by the endless trail of clues.
I really think that David Fincher is one of the best directors in Hollywood. He is able to keep you glued to the screen in every one of his movies (including The Game and Panic Room) and Zodiac is no different. The movie wasn't as jumping out of your seat thriller as the commercials may have made it seem, but it was very thrilling from an intellectual point. I found myself as interested in them finding the killer as the detectives and reporters were themselves. The movie was a tad bit long, but the performances by everyone were awesome.
I very stronly recommend this movie to everyone. It is well worth the trip to the theater.
I really think that David Fincher is one of the best directors in Hollywood. He is able to keep you glued to the screen in every one of his movies (including The Game and Panic Room) and Zodiac is no different. The movie wasn't as jumping out of your seat thriller as the commercials may have made it seem, but it was very thrilling from an intellectual point. I found myself as interested in them finding the killer as the detectives and reporters were themselves. The movie was a tad bit long, but the performances by everyone were awesome.
I very stronly recommend this movie to everyone. It is well worth the trip to the theater.
The Abandoned
An American film producer named Marie returns to her homeland, Russia, where her Mother's dead body has been found under bizarre circumstances. She never knew her, having been adopted and brought to America as a baby. The only clue to what might have happened is an isolated, abandoned farm in the mountains that supposedly belonged to her natural parents. Being the only next of kin, she inherits the place, but no one will take her there as local superstitions state that the area is haunted. Only one man will help her, a stranger that oddly seems to know quite a bit about her history. But once arrived, the guide mysteriously disappears, forcing Marie to explore the derelict location alone. She discovers someone else on the property, Nikolai, who claims to have been lured there exactly in the same manner, so he could discover the truth behind his unknown past as well. They become stranded in the immense compound, plagued by terrifying ghosts and visions.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the only way that anyone knows about this movie is because of the movie posters and numerous internet ads with the baby doll head with different colored eyes and blood trickling out of one of them. I should mention that the massively advertised doll has nothing to do with this movie and is not featured at any point. I digress. This movie overall was decent. The beginning was brutally boring. The middle with the two people trying to figure out what is going on and the ghostly visions was awesome. Then, the end seemed a little bit too choppy to me with the going back and forth between the past and present before everything finally came together. Average out the three parts of the movie and you get a pretty decent suspense/thriller. I definitely think it could have been better, but it could have been a whole lot worse. For the record, WW liked this movie a lot more than I did which would make me think that horror/thriller movie buffs would probably really like this one.
I would moderately recommend this movie. Not that it really matters though because it's playing very limited in theaters. Hell, we actually had to pay to see this one because it was playing at so few theaters.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the only way that anyone knows about this movie is because of the movie posters and numerous internet ads with the baby doll head with different colored eyes and blood trickling out of one of them. I should mention that the massively advertised doll has nothing to do with this movie and is not featured at any point. I digress. This movie overall was decent. The beginning was brutally boring. The middle with the two people trying to figure out what is going on and the ghostly visions was awesome. Then, the end seemed a little bit too choppy to me with the going back and forth between the past and present before everything finally came together. Average out the three parts of the movie and you get a pretty decent suspense/thriller. I definitely think it could have been better, but it could have been a whole lot worse. For the record, WW liked this movie a lot more than I did which would make me think that horror/thriller movie buffs would probably really like this one.
I would moderately recommend this movie. Not that it really matters though because it's playing very limited in theaters. Hell, we actually had to pay to see this one because it was playing at so few theaters.
The Astronaut Farmer
Dismissed from NASA's space program, former astronaut-in-training Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) pursues his lifelong dream by building his own rocket in the family film The Astronaut Farmer. On the eve of his launch, he must battle foreclosure on his ranch, a small-town community of disbelievers, the FAA, and FBI agents who want to shut him down in the name of Homeland Security – but remains determined to reach his goal and instill in his children the courage to pursue their own dreams, no matter the odds.
The first hour of this movie was firmly entrenched in snooze city. Both WW and I, along with the three kids, were visibly bored out of our minds. Usually something like that will kill a movie and put it way beyond the point of no return in terms of being able to bring the audience back. However, the last 40 minutes of it somehow managed to literally perk up the whole theater and suck you back in to the point where you are really rooting for this thing to work out, getting choked up at certain points, and wanting to clap at the end. Very strange movie going experience here.
I would recommend this movie to everyone (especially with kids), but must heavily warn you that you have to drudge through the first hour. The ending of the movie makes it worth it but I'm not going to lie to you. It's a pretty rough first hour.
The first hour of this movie was firmly entrenched in snooze city. Both WW and I, along with the three kids, were visibly bored out of our minds. Usually something like that will kill a movie and put it way beyond the point of no return in terms of being able to bring the audience back. However, the last 40 minutes of it somehow managed to literally perk up the whole theater and suck you back in to the point where you are really rooting for this thing to work out, getting choked up at certain points, and wanting to clap at the end. Very strange movie going experience here.
I would recommend this movie to everyone (especially with kids), but must heavily warn you that you have to drudge through the first hour. The ending of the movie makes it worth it but I'm not going to lie to you. It's a pretty rough first hour.
The Number 23
The Number 23 stars Jim Carrey as a man whose life unravels after he comes into contact with an obscure book titled The Number 23. As he reads the book, he becomes increasingly convinced that it is based on his own life. His obsession with the number 23 starts to consume him, and he begins to realize the book forecasts far graver consequences for his life than he could have ever imagined.
This is the type of movie that totally explains how my movie going experiences are dictated by expectations. I was really psyched to see this movie because I love Jim Carrey and the previews for it looked awesome. Then I read a bunch of reviews that said the movie was absolutely horrible. I'm talking about like one star reviews here. I was disappointed by that and ended up going in to the movie expecting it to be pretty crappy. I'm usually not one to buy in to the critics' point of view but when 5 or 6 people say the same thing about it - I might tend to be swayed. Luckily, because of the low expectations going in I ended up thinking that the movie was pretty good and not nearly as bad as everyone had said it would be. The movie wasn't quite as suspenseful as I thought it would be. I was expecting a lot more of an edge of my seat type feeling. However, it was one of those Sixth Sense type movies and I don't really see why people would have thought this was so bad.
I would casually recommend people checking this one out. It's not worthy of must see status but it's worth the trip to theaters if you are up to it.
This is the type of movie that totally explains how my movie going experiences are dictated by expectations. I was really psyched to see this movie because I love Jim Carrey and the previews for it looked awesome. Then I read a bunch of reviews that said the movie was absolutely horrible. I'm talking about like one star reviews here. I was disappointed by that and ended up going in to the movie expecting it to be pretty crappy. I'm usually not one to buy in to the critics' point of view but when 5 or 6 people say the same thing about it - I might tend to be swayed. Luckily, because of the low expectations going in I ended up thinking that the movie was pretty good and not nearly as bad as everyone had said it would be. The movie wasn't quite as suspenseful as I thought it would be. I was expecting a lot more of an edge of my seat type feeling. However, it was one of those Sixth Sense type movies and I don't really see why people would have thought this was so bad.
I would casually recommend people checking this one out. It's not worthy of must see status but it's worth the trip to theaters if you are up to it.
Bridge To Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia is a fantasy/adventure story of friendship, family and the power of imagination. Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is an outsider at school and even in his own family. Jess has trained all summer to become the fastest kid in his middle school class but his goal is unexpectedly thwarted by the new girl in school, Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) who competes in the "boys only" race and wins. Despite their awkward introduction, the two outsiders quickly become best friends. Leslie loves to tell stories of fantasy and magic. Jess loves to draw, but until he met Leslie it was something he kept to himself. Leslie opens a new world of imagination for Jess. Together they create the secret kingdom of Terabithia, a magical place only accessible by swinging on an old rope over a stream in the woods near their homes. There, the friends rule the kingdom, fight the Dark Master and his creatures and plot against the school bullies. Thanks to his friendship with Leslie, Jess is changed for good.
Very rarely will a movie be so completely misadvertised and still be so incredibly good that you end up loving the movie anyway. The bottom line is that I thought I was walking in to a Chronicles Of Narnia type movie and ended up getting My Girl in return. However, like I said, it was so incredibly well done that I didn't care that much and totally loved the movie. The filmmakers did such an amazing job at catching the awkwardness of childhood. The movie is a perfect one to take your kids to so that they can see the power of imaginiation instead of the power of a wireless controller for their new video gaming system. Just a heads up for all parents who don't want to be blindsided by the incredibly depressing conversations that may ensue with your child on the way home - a major character dies. I couldn't imagine anything worse that thinking you'll be talking about the cool effects on the way home and end up having to try to explain death. Even with that stomach punch of a character killing, I absolutely loved this movie.
I fully recommend this movie to children and adults alike. Just be forewarned that its nothing like the Narnia-ish commercial. It's has some occasional fantasy elements, but is honestly an amazing character drama about growing up and the power of your imagination.
Very rarely will a movie be so completely misadvertised and still be so incredibly good that you end up loving the movie anyway. The bottom line is that I thought I was walking in to a Chronicles Of Narnia type movie and ended up getting My Girl in return. However, like I said, it was so incredibly well done that I didn't care that much and totally loved the movie. The filmmakers did such an amazing job at catching the awkwardness of childhood. The movie is a perfect one to take your kids to so that they can see the power of imaginiation instead of the power of a wireless controller for their new video gaming system. Just a heads up for all parents who don't want to be blindsided by the incredibly depressing conversations that may ensue with your child on the way home - a major character dies. I couldn't imagine anything worse that thinking you'll be talking about the cool effects on the way home and end up having to try to explain death. Even with that stomach punch of a character killing, I absolutely loved this movie.
I fully recommend this movie to children and adults alike. Just be forewarned that its nothing like the Narnia-ish commercial. It's has some occasional fantasy elements, but is honestly an amazing character drama about growing up and the power of your imagination.
Ghost Rider
From Marvel Comics, comes a new hero... Ghost Rider. Long ago, superstar motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze made a deal with the devil to protect the ones he loved most: his father and his childhood sweetheart, Roxanne (Eva Mendes). Now, the devil has come for his due. By day, Johnny is a die-hard stunt rider... but at night, in the presence of evil, he becomes the Ghost Rider, a bounty hunter of rogue demons. Forced to do the devil's bidding, Johnny is determined to confront his fate and use his curse and powers to defend the innocent.
When it comes to comic book movies, I seem to always put them on a sliding scale. There are the Spider-Man movies, the X-Men movies, and the original Batman (as well as Batman Begins) in the upper tier. Then there are the middle of the road comic book movies like Batmans two and three from the orginal franchise, Fantastic Four, and the Blade franchise. Then there are the stupid ones like Daredevil and The Punisher. I would put Ghost Rider in the middle of the road category. It wasn't good enough to be considered one of the greats but was far from being a steaming pile of dung. They developed the character enough in the beginning, the effects on Ghost Rider were really cool, and the action/fight scenes were pretty good. I think the biggest thing holding this movie back was the villian. He wasn't a big name villian and he really didn't seem like much of a match for Ghost Rider.
I would recommend this movie as being worthy of checking out. It's not totally awesome, but it is definitely above average.
When it comes to comic book movies, I seem to always put them on a sliding scale. There are the Spider-Man movies, the X-Men movies, and the original Batman (as well as Batman Begins) in the upper tier. Then there are the middle of the road comic book movies like Batmans two and three from the orginal franchise, Fantastic Four, and the Blade franchise. Then there are the stupid ones like Daredevil and The Punisher. I would put Ghost Rider in the middle of the road category. It wasn't good enough to be considered one of the greats but was far from being a steaming pile of dung. They developed the character enough in the beginning, the effects on Ghost Rider were really cool, and the action/fight scenes were pretty good. I think the biggest thing holding this movie back was the villian. He wasn't a big name villian and he really didn't seem like much of a match for Ghost Rider.
I would recommend this movie as being worthy of checking out. It's not totally awesome, but it is definitely above average.
Breach
When young Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) is promoted out of his low-level surveillance job and into the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, his dream of becoming a full-fledged agent is on the verge of becoming reality. Even more impressive, O'Neill is hand picked to work for renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Cooper) within "information assurance," a new division created to protect all classified FBI Intelligence. But O'Neill is quickly confronted with the true reason behind his hire: Hanssen is the sole subject of a long-term, top-secret investigation, a suspected mole made all the more dangerous by the sheer global import of the information he is charged with protecting. The Bureau asks O'Neill to use Hanssen's growing trust and slowly draw the traitor out of deep cover. Engaged in a lethal game of spy-versus-spy without the benefit of a cover story or backup, O'Neill finds himself fighting to bring down Hanssen before the treacherous double-agent can destroy O'Neill, his family and the nation they are both sworn to serve.
I liked this movie a lot. Chris Cooper is probably the most underrated actor in all of Hollywood. I don't think that this guy has ever been bad in any role he has portrayed. The same can be said for Laura Linney who plays the FBI agent that is running the investigation case against Hansenn. The two of them even managed to make Ryan Phillipe look like an awesome actor. That's how well done and acted this movie was. The only slight knock that I would make against it is that the advertising made it seem like it would be more edge of your seat suspense, which there really wasn't any of that. It was more of a smart thriller and definitely kept you interested, but not in a surprise thriller kind of way.
Regardless, I would fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is by far one of the better movies in theaters right now.
I liked this movie a lot. Chris Cooper is probably the most underrated actor in all of Hollywood. I don't think that this guy has ever been bad in any role he has portrayed. The same can be said for Laura Linney who plays the FBI agent that is running the investigation case against Hansenn. The two of them even managed to make Ryan Phillipe look like an awesome actor. That's how well done and acted this movie was. The only slight knock that I would make against it is that the advertising made it seem like it would be more edge of your seat suspense, which there really wasn't any of that. It was more of a smart thriller and definitely kept you interested, but not in a surprise thriller kind of way.
Regardless, I would fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is by far one of the better movies in theaters right now.
Hannibal Rising
In Hannibal Rising, we find out the origins of Hannibal Lecter. The story begins in Eastern Europe at the end of World War II. A young Hannibal watches from only steps away as his parents' violently die, leaving his cherished young sister in his care. This horrific moment will soon pale in comparison to the atrocities he is forced to witness and perhaps survive as a result of.Alone and without any means of support, he is forced to live in a Soviet Orphanage that once served as his family's beloved home. He flees to Paris to find his uncle has died but his beautiful and mysterious Japanese widow, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li) welcomes him. Even her kindness and love cannot soothe the nightmares and sorrows that plague him. Showing a cunning aptitude for science he is accepted into medical school, which serves to hone his skills and provide the tools to exact justice on the war criminals that haunt him day and night. This quest will ignite an insatiable lust within a serial killer who was not born, but made.
I had read this book and didn't think that it was nearly as bad as the critics who relentlessly bashed it did. I had said to WW that how good the movie will be will depend on how good the younger Hannibal Lecter is. I was wrong. The younger Hannibal Lecter wasn't that bad, but the complete lack of tension stunk. What made the other Hannibal Lecter movies so good was that you were sitting on the edge of your seat. This movie basically plodded along for the most part and even the scenes where Hannibal is killing people for revenger were pretty blah. The movie wasn't horrible . . . . . but it really wasn't all that good either.
I wouldn't really recommend people rushing to see this. You might be better off just waiting for it to be available via rental.
I had read this book and didn't think that it was nearly as bad as the critics who relentlessly bashed it did. I had said to WW that how good the movie will be will depend on how good the younger Hannibal Lecter is. I was wrong. The younger Hannibal Lecter wasn't that bad, but the complete lack of tension stunk. What made the other Hannibal Lecter movies so good was that you were sitting on the edge of your seat. This movie basically plodded along for the most part and even the scenes where Hannibal is killing people for revenger were pretty blah. The movie wasn't horrible . . . . . but it really wasn't all that good either.
I wouldn't really recommend people rushing to see this. You might be better off just waiting for it to be available via rental.
Norbit
Norbit (Eddie Murphy) has never had it easy. As a baby, he was abandoned on the steps of a Chinese restaurant/orphanage and raised by Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy). Things get worse when he's forced into marriage by the mean, junk food-chugging queen, Rasputia (Eddie Murphy). Just when Norbit's hanging by his last thread, his childhood sweetheart, Kate (Thandie Newton), moves back to town.
This is basically just another chance to watch Eddie Murphy play as many characters as possible in one movie. It worked amazingly well with The Nutty Professor because I still think that when he played the whole family at the dinner scene is one of the funniest scenes in a movie ever. As far as Norbit goes, there are some really funny moments and you find yourself laughing really hard from time to time. Unfortunately, the overall story is beyond lame and kind of holds the funniness back at times. Eddie Murphy is still one of the funniest people alive though.
I would recommend people checking this movie out if they're looking for a laugh. It's not a great movie, but there are definitely some really worthy funny moments.
This is basically just another chance to watch Eddie Murphy play as many characters as possible in one movie. It worked amazingly well with The Nutty Professor because I still think that when he played the whole family at the dinner scene is one of the funniest scenes in a movie ever. As far as Norbit goes, there are some really funny moments and you find yourself laughing really hard from time to time. Unfortunately, the overall story is beyond lame and kind of holds the funniness back at times. Eddie Murphy is still one of the funniest people alive though.
I would recommend people checking this movie out if they're looking for a laugh. It's not a great movie, but there are definitely some really worthy funny moments.
Letters From Iwo Jima
Sixty-one years ago, U.S. and Japanese armies met on Iwo Jima. Decades later, several hundred letters are unearthed from that stark island's soil. The letters give faces and voices to the men who fought there, as well as the extraordinary general who led them, Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe). With little defense other than sheer will and the volcanic rock of the island itself, Gen. Kuribayashi's unprecedented tactics transform what was predicted to be a quick and bloody defeat into nearly 40 days of heroic and resourceful combat.In an effort to explore an event that continues to resonate with both cultures, Clint Eastwood was haunted by the sense that making only one film, "Flags of Our Fathers," would be telling only half the story. With this unprecedented dual film project, shot back-to-back to be released in sequence, Eastwood seeks to reveal the battle of Iwo Jima--and, by implication, the war in the Pacific--as a clash not only of arms but of cultures.
This is one of those movies that I might have liked a lot more if I would have seen it under different pretenses. The bottom line is that since this was a subtitle movie, I planned on waiting to rent it instead of going to theaters to see it. Then it got nominated for Best Picture and I wanted to make sure to see it before the Academy Awards. Unfortunately, I was then stuck watching this movie for two plus hours thinking nothing other than why in the blue hell was this movie nominated for best picture over Dreamgirls and Children Of Men? It's not that the movie was bad. It actually ended up being better than average. But definitely not good enough to warrant a Best Picture nomination. Again, I probably would have really liked this a lot more if I would have seen it without the imbedded bias in my brain.
I would still recommend people checking this movie out because, again, it's not a bad movie. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check.
This is one of those movies that I might have liked a lot more if I would have seen it under different pretenses. The bottom line is that since this was a subtitle movie, I planned on waiting to rent it instead of going to theaters to see it. Then it got nominated for Best Picture and I wanted to make sure to see it before the Academy Awards. Unfortunately, I was then stuck watching this movie for two plus hours thinking nothing other than why in the blue hell was this movie nominated for best picture over Dreamgirls and Children Of Men? It's not that the movie was bad. It actually ended up being better than average. But definitely not good enough to warrant a Best Picture nomination. Again, I probably would have really liked this a lot more if I would have seen it without the imbedded bias in my brain.
I would still recommend people checking this movie out because, again, it's not a bad movie. Just be sure to keep your expectations in check.
Because I Said So
Keaton stars as Daphne Wilder, a mother whose love knows no bounds or boundaries. She is the proud mom of three daughters: Maggie (Graham), Mae (Perabo) and Milly (Moore)-who, when it comes to men, is like psychotic flypaper. In order to prevent her youngest from making the same mistakes she did, Daphne decides to set Milly up with the perfect man. Little does Milly know, however, that her mom placed an ad in the online personals to find him. Comic mayhem unfolds as Daphne continues to do the wrong thing for the right reasons...all in the name of love. In a hilarious battle of strong wills, the mother-daughter dynamic is tested in all its fierce, wacky complexity. The girls help Daphne finally discover the truths and impossibilities of motherly love, all while trying to answer the questions: where does it begin and where should it end?
I went in to this movie with lukewarm expectations at best. I ended up completely loving it. I was laughing out loud numerous times throughout the movie and thought that everyone contributed great acting performances, especially Diane Keaton. This is one of the best date movies to come out in a while and there is nothing better than leaving a theater having so thoroughly enjoyed the movie you just watched.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone. Even guys who put on that macho front and don't want to see a "chick flick" . . . . . . suck it up and take your significant other. You'll end up liking it just as much as them.
I went in to this movie with lukewarm expectations at best. I ended up completely loving it. I was laughing out loud numerous times throughout the movie and thought that everyone contributed great acting performances, especially Diane Keaton. This is one of the best date movies to come out in a while and there is nothing better than leaving a theater having so thoroughly enjoyed the movie you just watched.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone. Even guys who put on that macho front and don't want to see a "chick flick" . . . . . . suck it up and take your significant other. You'll end up liking it just as much as them.
The Messengers
There is evidence to suggest that children are highly susceptible to paranormal phenomenon. They can see what adults cannot, they believe what adults deny. And they are trying to warn us. In The Messengers, a thriller starring Kristen Stewart, Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller and John Corbett, the Solomon family has left big city life for a secluded farm in North Dakota. Soon after they arrive at their new home, 16 year-old Jess and her 3 year old brother begin seeing ominous apparitions that no one else can see, and are repeatedly attacked by something from the other side. Now they must try desperately to warn the rest of the family before it's too late.
This movie was really really good for 9/10 of it. As usual with these types of spooky, make you jump out of your seat movies it is very hard to cross the finish line. They always seem to be the right amount of creepy and has you sitting on the edge of the seat and then it's time for the grand finale and you are kind of left staring at the screen like a confused dog with your head to the side thinking "what?" Even though this movie made WW (she lives for these kind of movies by the way) and I both feel that way, the movie was still very enjoyable. Even as the movie was winding down in a mostly lame way, we were both still sitting on the edge of our seats and jumping out of them. Well, WW was jumping out of her seat. I was merely jumping out of the way of her elbows of death that she likes to throw towards my ribs when she is scared during a movie.
I would recommend this movie regardless of the off ending. It's very much worth viewing especially if you like these kinds of movies.
This movie was really really good for 9/10 of it. As usual with these types of spooky, make you jump out of your seat movies it is very hard to cross the finish line. They always seem to be the right amount of creepy and has you sitting on the edge of the seat and then it's time for the grand finale and you are kind of left staring at the screen like a confused dog with your head to the side thinking "what?" Even though this movie made WW (she lives for these kind of movies by the way) and I both feel that way, the movie was still very enjoyable. Even as the movie was winding down in a mostly lame way, we were both still sitting on the edge of our seats and jumping out of them. Well, WW was jumping out of her seat. I was merely jumping out of the way of her elbows of death that she likes to throw towards my ribs when she is scared during a movie.
I would recommend this movie regardless of the off ending. It's very much worth viewing especially if you like these kinds of movies.
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