New In Town

Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) is an ambitious, up and coming executive living in Miami. She loves her shoes, she loves her cars and she loves climbing the corporate ladder. When she is offered a temporary assignment - in the middle of nowhere - to restructure a manufacturing plant, she jumps at the opportunity, knowing that a big promotion is close at hand. What begins as a straight forward job assignment becomes a life changing experience as Lucy discovers greater meaning in her life and most unexpectedly, the man of her dreams (Harry Connick, Jr.).

This movie is pretty much what you saw in the commercial. Its your textbook character out of her element movie. You know she's going to fall in love with the new area she has to go to. You know that she's going to fall for the guy. You know she's going to throw in the towel for her old life and enjoy her new found life. I know all of this - and I didn't even bother watching the end of the movie. Its not that the movie was horrible. I just didn't care enough to make it past the first 35 minutes. The Minnesota is cold jokes had already gotten old. Renee Zellwegger had already reached her usual annoyance level with me. And I already knew damn well where this movie was going to go. This was essentially a movie version of an ABC series, Men In Trees, from a couple of years ago and if I didn't feel like watching that from the comfort of my own home - why would I bother watching the rest of this movie that I started watching only because the kids movie wasn't over yet and there wasn't anything else I hadn't seen yet?

I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering to check this out. Its really just kind of there and not worth your time at all.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Kevin James stars as the title character, a single, suburban dad, trying to make ends meet as a security officer at a New Jersey mall. Though no one else takes his job seriously, Paul considers himself on the front lines of safety. When a heist shuts down the megaplex, Jersey's most formidable mall cop will have to become a real cop to save the day.


I am a huge fan of Kevin James. I have been since his old stand up routines. I watch The King Of Queens regularly in syndication. I have been told by friends, family and random strangers that I remind them of him. I'd like to think its because of my personality and not my size, but I digress. I have an ability to find him funny no matter what. This movie is a shining example of that. The movie sucked. It was silly, pointless and stupid. If anyone other than Kevin James was in this I would have bailed after my 20 minutes of patience was tapped. However, I enjoyed it solely because of him and how silly he is. He truly seems to capture that stupidness that we all do when we are alone or in our heads and isn't afraid to put it out there no matter how stupid he will look.


I would only recommend this movie to people that find Kevin James as funny as I do. The movie itself is totally garbage, but if you want to laugh at The King Of Queens go check it out.

My Bloody Valentine

Ten years ago, a tragedy changed the town of Harmony forever. Tom Hanniger, an inexperienced coal miner, caused an accident in the tunnels that trapped and killed five men and sent the only survivor, Harry Warden, into a permanent coma. But Harry Warden wanted revenge. Exactly one year later, on Valentine's Day, he woke up...and brutally murdered twenty-two people with a pickaxe before being killed.Ten years later, Tom Hanniger returns to Harmony on Valentine's Day, still haunted by the deaths he caused. Struggling to make amends with his past, he grapples with unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Sarah, who is now married to his best friend, Axel, the town sheriff. But tonight, after years of peace, something from Harmony's dark past has returned. Wearing a miner's mask and armed with a pickaxe, an unstoppable killer is on the loose. And as his footsteps come ever closer, Tom, Sarah and Axel realize in terror that it just might be Harry Warden who's come back to claim them...


This is a total throwback to the 70s/80s horror movie. There is horrid acting. The story is beyond weak. The gore is excessive and so over the top. The movie ends up being hysterically funny even though you are watching people get slaughtered. You can't help but laugh your ass off at how absurd what you are seeing on screen is. The 3D effects make you laugh even harder.


I would recommend people checking this out because it is "fun" at the movies. It is by no means a good movie. Its actually quite a horrible movie. But its "fun" and if you get the chance to see it in 3D (Not sure if that's possible of DVD?) that makes it even better.

Valkyrie

A proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed. Realizing that time is running out, he decides that he must take action himself and joins the German resistance. Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler’s own emergency plan – known as Operation Valkyrie – these men plot to assassinate the dictator and overthrow his Nazi government from the inside. With everything in place, with the future of the world, the fate of millions and the lives of his wife and children hanging in the balance, von Stauffenberg is thrust from being one of many who oppose Hitler to the one who must kill Hitler himself.


This wasn't necessarily a bad movie. Its actually pretty watchable. The problem is that I simply couldn't care less about what was going on in the movie. I wasn't in to it at all. I'm not really sure if that was me personally or if the direction of the movie fails as a whole to get viewers in to the movie. Its just sort of there. The other problem is that the movie was advertised as an action/espionage thriller. There was an action scene at the beginning of the movie and an explosion towards the end. That was it for the action. As for it being a "thriller" . . . . . can't remember a single moment that would validate that.


I wouldn't have really recommended that anyone rush to check this out in theaters. You can go for it on rental or wait until cable on this bad boy.

Fanboys

It's 1998 and Star Wars fanboys across the globe eagerly await the release of "Episode I." But for Eric, Linus, Hutch and Windows the term fanboy is more than just a title, it's a badge of honor. Spurred by impatience and an undying loyalty to their cause, these former high school friends reunite to undertake the road trip of their fan-tasies. Traveling West across the country to visit their Mecca - George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch - the plan is to break in, steal the film and stake their claim as the first fanboys in history to watch it. But to secure their place in the fanboy hall of fame, they'll have to contend with bizarre bikers, a crazy pimp, a deranged group of trekkies and the quiet intensity of William Shatner.

This movie is hilariously great . . . . . if you are or were a Star Wars fanboy. I am an admitted Star Wars fanboy. The first Star Wars was the first movie I ever saw in a theater and that has stuck with me to this day of my movie addicted life. I was just as excited about Episode I as the characters in this movie were and had the conversations that they have about it with my friends. The random dialogue and joke references towards the movies had me laughing out loud. The flip side of this is that if you are not or never were a Star Wars fanboy, this movie might be one of the silliest things you've ever seen. Its your text book road trip movie but instead of pushing sex, drugs and hijinks - its pushing Star Wars moments. This has the ability to end up being a total cult favorite when it hits DVD.

I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more to die hard Star Wars fans. They will fully enjoy it. Others should not waste your time.

Passengers

After a plane crash, a young therapist, Claire (Anne Hathaway), is assigned by her mentor (Andre Braugher) to counsel the flight's five survivors. When they share their recollections of the incident – which some say include an explosion that the airline claims never happened – Claire is intrigued by Eric (Patrick Wilson), the most secretive of the passengers. Just as Claire's professional relationship with Eric – despite her better judgment – blossoms into a romance, the survivors begin to disappear mysteriously, one by one. Claire suspects that Eric may hold all the answers and becomes determined to uncover the truth, no matter the consequences.


Of all the wannabe Sixth Sense type movies that have came out over the last 10 years, this is probably the best one. Ironically, its the one that received the least amount of advertising and box office attention. Anne Hathaway finally broke away from the type casting hole she's been stuck in. The story was put out there in a way that kept you so attached to what was going on even though you aren't quite sure where its going. Then when it got there, I wanted to immediately watch the movie again.


I'd recommend that everyone check this bad boy out. I was shocked at how much I really enjoyed it.

Taken

Liam Neeson stars in Taken. When his estranged daughter is kidnapped in Paris, a former spy (Neeson) sets out to find her at any cost. Relying on his special skills, he tracks down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launches a one-man war to bring them to justice and rescue his daughter.

I am absolutely shocked at how much I enjoyed this movie. I saw the trailer and thought it looked like a decent watch but never expected to be sitting on the edge of my seat as much as this movie made me do. I also never thought that Liam Neeson would be remotely buyable as a bad ass able to track his daughter down like that. This movie had action like the Bourne movies and totally sucked you in to the suspense. Its also got a nice, tight running time with helps with the quick, no bs pacing on the movie.

I'd recommend everyone check this movie out. This movie is one hell of a suspense ride.

Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement.


This movie was essentially and hour and 1/2 extension of what was a 2 minute flashback in the previous Underworld installment. This movie is beyond uneccesary and pointless. I actually really liked the original Underworld and thought the sequel was watchable but like I said - I got the feud between the Death Dealers and Lycans with the brief narrated flashback. This movie didn't really provide me with any further insight in to their feud and was just an excuse to take our money. On a side note - what the hell is Michael Sheen thinking by going back to this role? Since Underworld: Evolution he has played Tony Blair in The Queen and David Frost in Frost/Nixon. He was great in both of them and has managed to put himself on the cusp of oscar recognition only to return to playing the leader of the Lycans? Someone needs a new agent.


I wouldn't recommend anyone checking this movie out. Its pointless, uneccesary and full of schlocky gore. Its a blatant waste of time.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story, set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be. Directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett with Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas and Julia Ormond, "Benjamin Button," is a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.


This was one of those awesome story telling movies. Like a Forrest Gump type movie. The idea was great. The storytelling was awesome. The makeup is definitely going to win an oscar. The performances were top notch. The only thing that hurt this movie was its 3 hour running time. There were numerous points throughout that you felt the pacing fall "off" and that's pretty much an automatic sign that the movie could have easily been two and half hours. That's really the only knock though. Outside of that, it was a really great and entertaining movie.


I would strongly recommend people checking this bad boy out . . . . . if they have the three hours to spare. Its more than worth the time if you have it though.

Last Chance Harvey

New Yorker Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss (Richard Schiff) that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend to attend his daughter’s (Liane Balaban) wedding but promises to be back on Monday morning to make an important meeting—or else. Harvey arrives in London only to learn his daughter has chosen to have her stepfather (James Brolin) walk her down the aisle instead of him. Doing his best to hide his devastation, he leaves the wedding before the reception in hopes of getting to the airport on time, but misses his plane anyway. When he calls his boss to explain, he is fired on the spot. Drowning his sorrows at the airport bar, Harvey strikes up a conversation with Kate (Emma Thompson), a slightly prickly, 40-something employee of the Office of National Statistics. Kate, whose life is limited to work, the occasional humiliating blind date and endless phone calls from her smothering mother (Eileen Atkins), is touched by Harvey, who finds himself energized by her intelligence and compassion.The growing connection between the pair inspires both as they unexpectedly transform one another’s lives.

I'm shocked at how long the synopsis is for this movie considering how completely simple the movie is. This was a great character drama/comedy. It really captures how easily a connection can be struck up between two people at the most random of times. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson played very well off of each other and the director really made us care about the two characters. The whole movie pretty much takes place over the course of 2 or 3 days and you get to see all the moments that made the two people click.

I would recommend that people check this movie out. Its a very cute and enjoyable movie.