In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesman. Struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a better life for the two of them.
Even though I could understand some people could think it's too sappy and pulls heart strings too much, I thought this movie was phenomenal!!! Will Smith was awesome as always. It is really hard to believe that "The Fresh Prince" has ended up being such an amazing actor, but he performs so well in this movie that I couldn't look away from the screen and barely felt the two hours pass by while watching it. This is also the type of movie that makes you realize that no matter how bad you have it - it could always be much worse and that you just have to keep pushing through no matter what. I could not have seen this movie at a more perfect time in my life. This movie made me realize that no matter how tough things are or how hard of a time I could be having dealing with things - I have got my Wonder Woman (there are few people out there more wonderous than her, people!) , I have got my health, and I have got my kids/family.
I fully recommend this movie to everyone. What are you waiting for? Go rent it!
Happy Feet
In the world of penguins in Happy Feet, you're nobody unless you can sing. Unfortunately for Mumble, he is the worst singer in the world. However, he can tap to any tune and that makes him one special penguin - even if the others in his colony see him as an outsider.
This movie would quality as a "Shrek" (for quoted definitions, read other reviews or just plain keep up, people!). I know that WW (a huge penguin aficionado) and myself enjoyed this movie just as much as the kids did. It was a tad slow at first until Mumbles left his clan and met up with the penguin voiced by Robin Williams. Can we please take a moment and acknowledge Mr. Robin Williams as the greatest animated character voice of all time. Amen!!! Back to the review . . .Once he met up with Robin Williams charactor (Ramon), the movie was very hysterical since Mumbles had this rag tag bunch of ethnic sounding shorter penguins who made me laugh out loud many times. There were lots of messages about taking care of the environment that I feel are kind of pointless is children's movies since those messages usually fly right over their heads, but the animation was great along with some really cute dance/singing sequences.
Regardless, I would very strongly recommend this movie to children and adults alike.
This movie would quality as a "Shrek" (for quoted definitions, read other reviews or just plain keep up, people!). I know that WW (a huge penguin aficionado) and myself enjoyed this movie just as much as the kids did. It was a tad slow at first until Mumbles left his clan and met up with the penguin voiced by Robin Williams. Can we please take a moment and acknowledge Mr. Robin Williams as the greatest animated character voice of all time. Amen!!! Back to the review . . .Once he met up with Robin Williams charactor (Ramon), the movie was very hysterical since Mumbles had this rag tag bunch of ethnic sounding shorter penguins who made me laugh out loud many times. There were lots of messages about taking care of the environment that I feel are kind of pointless is children's movies since those messages usually fly right over their heads, but the animation was great along with some really cute dance/singing sequences.
Regardless, I would very strongly recommend this movie to children and adults alike.
Children Of Men
Children of Men takes place in a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The world's youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set against a backdrop of London torn apart by violence and warring nationalistic sects, the movie follows Theo (Clive Owen) as he becomes an unlikely champion of Earth's survival. When the planet's last remaining hope is threatened, he is forced to protect her from certain peril.
I thought this movie was phenomenal. The bottom line is that any time you are watching a textbook science fiction and don't even realize that it is science fiction - that's amazing. This movie takes place in a completely pretend future, but you feel as if it's all real. You watch the movie as if this world exists one town over or something. The also thing that I absolutely loved about this movie was that it was so original. Today's movies are chock full of remakes, sequels, and retreads that you can usually watch a commercial for a movie and decide ahead of time whether or not you liked the movie. This movie was so genuinely unique and kept you on the edge of your seat for the most part the entire time.
I fully recommend that everyone see this. I'm giving it must see status, people. Get out there and rent it!
I thought this movie was phenomenal. The bottom line is that any time you are watching a textbook science fiction and don't even realize that it is science fiction - that's amazing. This movie takes place in a completely pretend future, but you feel as if it's all real. You watch the movie as if this world exists one town over or something. The also thing that I absolutely loved about this movie was that it was so original. Today's movies are chock full of remakes, sequels, and retreads that you can usually watch a commercial for a movie and decide ahead of time whether or not you liked the movie. This movie was so genuinely unique and kept you on the edge of your seat for the most part the entire time.
I fully recommend that everyone see this. I'm giving it must see status, people. Get out there and rent it!
Rocky Balboa
The greatest underdog story of our time is back for one final round of the Rocky franchise. Former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa steps out of retirement and back into the ring, pitting himself against a new rival in a dramatically different era. After a virtual boxing match declares Rocky Balboa the victor over current champion Mason Dixon, the legendary fighter's passion and spirit are reignited.
I thought that it was a joke when I originally heard that they were making this movie. Then, when I found out it was true - I thought this would be one of the worst movies ever made. Wasn't Rocky V bad enough to kill the franchise? However, I was very surprised by this movie and ended up enjoying it very much. I'm not going to come close to saying that it was a great movie, but it was a hell of a lot better than I thought it would be. It dragged a little bit at the beginning and the tension between Rocky and his son was a tad on the annoying side, but once it all got going you feel like you are watching the first one (or Rocky IV - my personal favorite) all over again. You are completely sucked in and excited and find yourself wanting to clap at the end.
I fully recommend that everyone check this one out. It's not a must see but it is more than worthy of the rental fee.
I thought that it was a joke when I originally heard that they were making this movie. Then, when I found out it was true - I thought this would be one of the worst movies ever made. Wasn't Rocky V bad enough to kill the franchise? However, I was very surprised by this movie and ended up enjoying it very much. I'm not going to come close to saying that it was a great movie, but it was a hell of a lot better than I thought it would be. It dragged a little bit at the beginning and the tension between Rocky and his son was a tad on the annoying side, but once it all got going you feel like you are watching the first one (or Rocky IV - my personal favorite) all over again. You are completely sucked in and excited and find yourself wanting to clap at the end.
I fully recommend that everyone check this one out. It's not a must see but it is more than worthy of the rental fee.
The Nativity Story
The Nativity Story chronicles the journey of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. Pretty simple summary on this one, people.
I'm going to pray to God that I don't get struck by lightning while reviewing this movie, but I think it would be worse to lie about it. This movie was horrible. Nice - no lightning. I guess even our Lord realizes how poopish this film was. I can't remember the last time that a movie dragged as slow as this one did. And it was about the birth of Christ! How can you make that story be this boring? And I still can't get over how the filmmakers decided to make the three wisemen be like the three stooges. It seemed like they were actually inserted in to the movie for comic relief. HELLO!?! One of the things that I had the hardest time wrapping my head around was that almost every major character was played by an actor or actress who has played a terrorist on tv against Jack Bauer on 24 or in a movie in the last year. I think that Osama Bin Laden might have actually been the guy that offered them the manger. Whew! Still no lightning.
All kidding aside though - I sadly - very very sadly - wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Especially not those who put religion at a premium because the movie really comes across as insulting and boring.
I'm going to pray to God that I don't get struck by lightning while reviewing this movie, but I think it would be worse to lie about it. This movie was horrible. Nice - no lightning. I guess even our Lord realizes how poopish this film was. I can't remember the last time that a movie dragged as slow as this one did. And it was about the birth of Christ! How can you make that story be this boring? And I still can't get over how the filmmakers decided to make the three wisemen be like the three stooges. It seemed like they were actually inserted in to the movie for comic relief. HELLO!?! One of the things that I had the hardest time wrapping my head around was that almost every major character was played by an actor or actress who has played a terrorist on tv against Jack Bauer on 24 or in a movie in the last year. I think that Osama Bin Laden might have actually been the guy that offered them the manger. Whew! Still no lightning.
All kidding aside though - I sadly - very very sadly - wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Especially not those who put religion at a premium because the movie really comes across as insulting and boring.
Eragon
This adventure centers on a young man named Eragon whose destiny is revealed with the help of a dragon. Eragon, now a Dragon Rider, is swept into a world of magic and power, discovering that he alone has the power to save – or destroy – an Empire.
I had read this book. It was one of the bazillion Harry Potter-ish books that came out after his popularity went through the roof. The book was actually really good and this movie - if done right - could have really been a scaled down Lord Of The Rings type epic (this movie is supposed to be the first one of a trilogy). Unfortunately, the filmmakers really rushed their way through the story and didn't put much effort into explaining the dynamic relationships between all the characters like they did in the book. At one point in the movie - one of the characters dies and nobody in the crowd could possibly care less. Unfortunately, that point in the book was one of the best parts. Getting past the disappointment of what was lost in translation, the movie is not horrible. It is o.k. and watchable, but it just seems really watered down and instead of having that mass appeal that the Lord Of The Rings movies did - it ended up being directed towards young teenage boys. That group happens to be the hardest to reach for movie studios because it is next to impossible to pull them away from video games and what not. Because of this - I don't see the second and third chapters of this trilogy ever being made and that's pretty disappointing because the books really were pretty good.
I would lukewarmly recommend this to people. If you have kids that are teenager tweeners - they would like it. Its worth the rental fee though.
I had read this book. It was one of the bazillion Harry Potter-ish books that came out after his popularity went through the roof. The book was actually really good and this movie - if done right - could have really been a scaled down Lord Of The Rings type epic (this movie is supposed to be the first one of a trilogy). Unfortunately, the filmmakers really rushed their way through the story and didn't put much effort into explaining the dynamic relationships between all the characters like they did in the book. At one point in the movie - one of the characters dies and nobody in the crowd could possibly care less. Unfortunately, that point in the book was one of the best parts. Getting past the disappointment of what was lost in translation, the movie is not horrible. It is o.k. and watchable, but it just seems really watered down and instead of having that mass appeal that the Lord Of The Rings movies did - it ended up being directed towards young teenage boys. That group happens to be the hardest to reach for movie studios because it is next to impossible to pull them away from video games and what not. Because of this - I don't see the second and third chapters of this trilogy ever being made and that's pretty disappointing because the books really were pretty good.
I would lukewarmly recommend this to people. If you have kids that are teenager tweeners - they would like it. Its worth the rental fee though.
Blood Diamond
Set during the civil war that enveloped 1990s Sierra Leone, Blood Diamond is the story of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou). Both men are African, but their histories are as different as any can be—until their fates become joined in a common quest to recover a rare pink diamond that can transform their lives. More than a search for a valuable diamond, the journey could save Solomon's family and give Archer the second chance he thought he would never have.
Before reviewing this movie I feel that I should give any reader the same warning that the idiot gave WW and I throughout the entire movie . . . . it's very violent. Seriously though - they do not hold back at all. Connect the gruesome violence along with the fact that this stuff is absolutely happening and the movie really hits you pretty hard. Even with the graphic violence, this movie was completely phenomenal. The acting was great all around - especially Djimon Hounsou. He really doesn't get the respect he deserves. Leonardo DiCaprio continued to impress me as an actor (I was never a big fan of his until The Aviator). The pace and story barely let up and the few times that it slowed down a bit, it came roaring back in the blink of an eye.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone (I can still hear that annoying lady repeatedly saying how violent it is. Damn her!). This was a really great movie and was one of my top ten movies to come out in 2006.
Before reviewing this movie I feel that I should give any reader the same warning that the idiot gave WW and I throughout the entire movie . . . . it's very violent. Seriously though - they do not hold back at all. Connect the gruesome violence along with the fact that this stuff is absolutely happening and the movie really hits you pretty hard. Even with the graphic violence, this movie was completely phenomenal. The acting was great all around - especially Djimon Hounsou. He really doesn't get the respect he deserves. Leonardo DiCaprio continued to impress me as an actor (I was never a big fan of his until The Aviator). The pace and story barely let up and the few times that it slowed down a bit, it came roaring back in the blink of an eye.
I very strongly recommend this movie to everyone (I can still hear that annoying lady repeatedly saying how violent it is. Damn her!). This was a really great movie and was one of my top ten movies to come out in 2006.
The Holiday
In The Holiday, two women on opposite sides of the globe, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) find themselves in a similar situations of man hating. Desperate for a change of scenery, the two women meet on the internet and swap houses for the Christmas holiday discovering that a change of address really can change your life.
This movie was cute. There were some really good laughs and you find yourself enjoying the four major characters. Jude Law ends up playing Cameron Diaz's beau, while Jack Black fills that role for Kate Winslett. It was a nice holiday/date movie which everyone pretty much knew going in from the commercial/preview. The only problem I had with this movie is the same as every one of Nancy Meyer's movies (What Women Want, Something's Gotta Give). They are just too long. This movie was 2 hours and 15 minutes long. When you go in to a movie having a pretty dead on idea of where it's going to end up - you shouldn't have to watch for 2 hours and 15 minutes to see it get there. This could have easily been an hour and 45 minutes.
Regardless, I would recommend this movie to all. It's really not a bad movie. It's just a tad too long.
This movie was cute. There were some really good laughs and you find yourself enjoying the four major characters. Jude Law ends up playing Cameron Diaz's beau, while Jack Black fills that role for Kate Winslett. It was a nice holiday/date movie which everyone pretty much knew going in from the commercial/preview. The only problem I had with this movie is the same as every one of Nancy Meyer's movies (What Women Want, Something's Gotta Give). They are just too long. This movie was 2 hours and 15 minutes long. When you go in to a movie having a pretty dead on idea of where it's going to end up - you shouldn't have to watch for 2 hours and 15 minutes to see it get there. This could have easily been an hour and 45 minutes.
Regardless, I would recommend this movie to all. It's really not a bad movie. It's just a tad too long.
Casino Royale
Daniel Craig is the new James Bond in "Casino Royale." Based on the first Bond book written by Ian Fleming, the story, which has never been told on film until now, recounts the making of the world's greatest secret agent. James Bond's first mission leads him to the villianous Le Chiffre. In order to stop him from funding terrorism, Bond must beat Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale.
Let me start off by saying that I really liked this movie. I'm nowhere near a James Bond buff, but I have liked some of them in the past and this one is one of the better recent ones. I thought that Daniel Craig was surprisingly good in the role of James Bond and the action at the start of the movie was the kind that makes you say "WHOA!" out loud. However, there were two problems I had with the movie.
One - it was too long and I think this was mostly because of the actual poker game that was being played. The movie was flying along up until that point and when they started playing cards it was like moving through molasses. Then, after the card game - it went right back to non-stop moving. I think they probably could have paced that a little better. Second (and the really big problem I have with this movie) is that it was supposed to be a prequel. This would mean that this movie took place BEFORE the bazillion James Bond movies that have already been made, right? If that's the case then how did so much of what was going on in this movie rotate around cell phone usage and text messages? Better yet - how did Judi Dench as M look a hell of a lot older than she did in the many previous Bond movies she's been in? I had a really hard time wrapping my head around all the technological things that they used in this movie while trying to remind myself that this took place before all the other movies.
That being ranted about - I would recommend this movie to everyone. It was a really good action movie that you didn't overly have to think in order to enjoy.
Let me start off by saying that I really liked this movie. I'm nowhere near a James Bond buff, but I have liked some of them in the past and this one is one of the better recent ones. I thought that Daniel Craig was surprisingly good in the role of James Bond and the action at the start of the movie was the kind that makes you say "WHOA!" out loud. However, there were two problems I had with the movie.
One - it was too long and I think this was mostly because of the actual poker game that was being played. The movie was flying along up until that point and when they started playing cards it was like moving through molasses. Then, after the card game - it went right back to non-stop moving. I think they probably could have paced that a little better. Second (and the really big problem I have with this movie) is that it was supposed to be a prequel. This would mean that this movie took place BEFORE the bazillion James Bond movies that have already been made, right? If that's the case then how did so much of what was going on in this movie rotate around cell phone usage and text messages? Better yet - how did Judi Dench as M look a hell of a lot older than she did in the many previous Bond movies she's been in? I had a really hard time wrapping my head around all the technological things that they used in this movie while trying to remind myself that this took place before all the other movies.
That being ranted about - I would recommend this movie to everyone. It was a really good action movie that you didn't overly have to think in order to enjoy.
Borat
In Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen - star of HBO's Da Ali G Show, plays a Kazakhstani reporter. Borat travels from his home in Kazakhstan to the U.S. to make a documentary. He travels cross country in a series of mishaps and meets all sorts of different people.
As long as the sometimes offensive material (there is one scene in the movie that rivals only that of the puppet sex scene in Team America: World Police in terms of "oh my god - why am I watching this") doesn't get you all waa-waa, this is a very funny movie. If you haven't seen it and have heard over and over again how funny it is, it might not meet your sky high expectations, but there will still be plenty of laughs to go around. Words can do no justice to how hard I was laughing when he went to an etiquette dinner or how priceless it is when Borat meets up with a bunch of African Americans and asks them to teach him how to talk like them.
Besides being funny, the character of Borat is sure to put its stamp on American culture just like Austin Powers and Napolean Dynamite. I guarantee that people will be talking like him for years now and that one of the hottest Halloween costumes next year will be Borat.
I would recommend this movie to all adults and suggest that you admit just how over the top funny this movie is even if you are offended.
As long as the sometimes offensive material (there is one scene in the movie that rivals only that of the puppet sex scene in Team America: World Police in terms of "oh my god - why am I watching this") doesn't get you all waa-waa, this is a very funny movie. If you haven't seen it and have heard over and over again how funny it is, it might not meet your sky high expectations, but there will still be plenty of laughs to go around. Words can do no justice to how hard I was laughing when he went to an etiquette dinner or how priceless it is when Borat meets up with a bunch of African Americans and asks them to teach him how to talk like them.
Besides being funny, the character of Borat is sure to put its stamp on American culture just like Austin Powers and Napolean Dynamite. I guarantee that people will be talking like him for years now and that one of the hottest Halloween costumes next year will be Borat.
I would recommend this movie to all adults and suggest that you admit just how over the top funny this movie is even if you are offended.
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