The Boy In Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a fictional story that offers a unique perspective on how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime. Through the lens of an eight-year-old boy largely shielded from the reality of World War II, we witness a forbidden friendship that forms between Bruno, the son of Nazi commandant, and Schmuel, a Jewish boy held captive in a concentration camp. Though the two are separated physically by a barbed wire fence, their lives become inescapably intertwined. The imagined story of Bruno and Shmuel sheds light on the brutality, senselessness and devastating consequences of war from an unusual point of view. Together, their tragic journey helps recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust.


This is one of those movies that simply reaches in to your chest and rips your heart out. This probably would have made my top ten list had I seen in theaters when it came out last year. As if these things having happened wasn't disturbing enough, the movie portrays it through the eyes of a child. The innocence and confusion of it all through the children's eyes brings it all to a newly disturbing level. The movie is so well crafted that you are literally talking to the screen while watching the ending unfold.


This movie is an absolute must see for all. Go and rent this movie right now.

Cadillac Records

The story of how the blues became popular and gave birth to rock and roll begins at a dingy bar on the rough South Side of Chicago in 1947, where the owner Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), hires a talented but undisciplined blues combo that includes quiet and thoughtful guitar prodigy Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and impulsive and colorful harmonica player Little Walter (Columbus Short). Chess treats his musicians like family – he buys them a Cadillac when they record their first hit record. But it's not until 1955 when a Chess artist finally "crosses over" into the realm of mainstream ("white") America – a skinny guy from St. Louis named Chuck Berry (Mos Def), whose dynamic "duck walk" and catchy, country-tinged tunes mark the birth of rock-and-roll. When Berry is arrested and jailed at the height of his career, Chess finds another talented performer to cross over – singer Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles), an emotionally scarred young woman whose vulnerability tempts Chess' loyalty and concern in unexpected ways. As rock-and-roll grows more popular, the Chess artists find themselves revered by a new generation of musicians, but they have also each earned and lost a small fortune on booze, women and the high life, and their addictions begin to take their toll. Even as tragedy befalls, their music and their spirit remain strong: as the sixties wind down and Leonard Chess gets out of the record business, the blues live on.


As you can tell from the absurdly long synopsis - this movie was way too overdone. It started off really good and I was really enjoying it for the first half. It then started twisting and turning all over the place and I very quickly lost interest in the characters and what was happening to them. I kind of just wanted the movie to end already. I thought that all the performances were good but the script was too big and they definitely could have cut the movie down a lot.


I wouldn't really recommend that anyone rush to see this. Its not a horrible watch, but you can just wait for cable.

Happy-Go-Lucky

Just how hard is it to be happy? Sally Hawkins stars as Poppy, an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher who brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters, offering us a touching, truthful and deeply life-affirming exploration of one of the most mysterious and often the most elusive of all human qualities: happiness. Poppy's ability to maintain her perspective is tested as the story begins and her commuter bike is stolen. However, she enthusiastically signs up for driving lessons with Scott (Eddie Marsan), who turns out to be her nemesis – a fuming, uptight cynic. As the tension of their weekly lessons builds, Poppy encounters even more challenges to her positive state of mind: a fiery flamenco instructor, her bitter pregnant sister, a troubled homeless man and a young bully in her class, not to mention that she has also thrown out her back. How this affects not only Poppy's world view but also the outlook of those around her begs the question "glass half full or half empty"?


I've never thought of myself as an unhappy person. I've always considered myself to be somewhat "happy go lucky". But if this movie is what it means to be happy go lucky, then consider myself to be Scrooge. This character was so over the top happy that it was one of the most annoying things I've ever seen. I couldn't even finish watching this movie because I wanted to punch the girl in the head. Her constand talking and laughing grated on my nerves like a cheese grater. It was brutal.


I wouldn't recommend anyone checking this movie out. It didn't make me happy at all.

Transporter 3

Frank Martin has been pressured into transporting Valentina, the kidnapped daughter of Leonid Vasilev, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency for the Ukraine, from Marseilles through Stuttgart and Budapest until he ends up in Odessa on the Black Sea. Along the way, with the help of Inspector Tarconi, Frank has to contend with the people who strong armed him to take the job, agents sent by Vasilev to intercept him, and the general non-cooperation of his passenger. Despite Valentina's cynical disposition and his resistance to get involved, Frank and Valentina fall for each other, while escaping from one life-threatening situation after another.


I never really thought that Transporter would turn in to a franchise. I mean is there really that much of a need or a sense of wonder to what crazy driver Frank is up to? It just seems like a giant waste of money to me. The weird thing is that these movies aren't actually bad. I mean they are pretty much photocopies of each other, but in terms of bad ass adrenaline action stuff - these are pretty decent watches. Who would have thought that?


I'd lukewarmly recommend this movie to people. As I said - its not a bad choice if you are looking for a good action movie. If you aren't - this is total poop though.

Milk

Milk charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk's life. While living in New York City, he turns 40. Looking for more purpose, Milk and his lover Scott Smith (James Franco) relocate to San Francisco, where they found a small business, Castro Camera, in the heart of a working-class neighborhood. With his beloved Castro neighborhood and beautiful city empowering him, Milk surprises Scott and himself by becoming an outspoken agent for change.With vitalizing support from Scott and from new friends like young activist Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch), Milk plunges headfirst into the choppy waters of politics. Bolstering his public profile with humor, Milk's actions speak even louder than his gift-of-gab words. When Milk is elected supervisor for the newly zoned District 5, he tries to coordinate his efforts with those of another newly elected supervisor, Dan White (Josh Brolin). But as White and Milk's political agendas increasingly diverge, their personal destinies tragically converge. Milk's platform was and is one of hope – a hero's legacy that resonates in the here and now.

This movie was full of excellent acting performances. This is that type of movie where you could see 3 or 4 actors getting nominated for best supporting actor along with the obvious nomination that Sean Penn should get. He was excellent as Harvey Milk. The movie started off a little bit too gay. Sean Penn and James Franco pretty much just start going at it. Right off the bat I was wondering what the heck I had signed on for. However, it settled down and really got you interested in the evolution of Milk's rise in politics. New people were introduced very fluidly and the movie was very well done as a whole.

I strongly recommend that everyone check this one out. Just push through the first ten minutes or so and you will truly enjoy this powerful character drama.

Role Models

Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott star in Role Models as Danny and Wheeler, two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program. If they can just make it through probation without getting thrown in jail, the world's worst role models will prove that, sometimes, it takes a village idiot to raise a child.

I thought this movie was beyond hysterical. This is one of the best character comedies to come out in a long time. Stifler played his usual self. Paul Rudd continues to impress me. McLovin was probably the best actor in the whole movie and the little kid that played Ronnie had me belly laughing the whole time. The movie is of course totally formula and you know everything that's going to happen the whole time but you still find yourself laughing uncontrollably at the one-liners and gags. The way that the four of them were dressed at the end of this movie had tears rolling down my face I was laughing so hard.

I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. Its a much welcomed laugh fest that doesn't push the envelope too far.

Australia

Australia is an epic and romantic action adventure, set in that country on the explosive brink of World War II. In it, an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) travels to the faraway continent, where she meets a rough-hewn local (Hugh Jackman) and reluctantly agrees to join forces with him to save the land she inherited. Together, they embark upon a transforming journey across hundreds of miles of the world's most beautiful yet unforgiving terrain, only to still face the bombing of the city of Darwin by the Japanese forces that attacked Pearl Harbor.

I am shocked at how much I really enjoyed this movie. I'm actually pretty pissed at myself for not taking this movie in while in theaters. I thought for sure based on the trailers for this that it was going to be horribly bad and the almost 3 hour running time made my expectations for it even worse. I couldn't have possibly been more wrong. This movie was awesome. The cinematography was phenomenal and at no point did it drag even with the massive running time. You find yourself completely hooked by all of the characters and very attached to the voyages of all of them. This movie probably should have received more oscar consideration than it did.

I strongly recommend that everyone check this out. This movie is more than worth the visit to the store and rental fee.

Beverly Hills Chiahuahua

Chloe (voice of Drew Barrymore), a diamond-clad, bootie wearing Beverly Hills Chihuahua enjoys her luxurious lifestyle so much, she hardly notices Papi (voice of George Lopez), a tough looking Chihuahua who happens to be head-over-paws for the pampered pooch. But when Chloe gets lost in the rough streets of Mexico with only a street-wise German Shepherd (voice of Andy Garcia) to help her find her way home, Papi heads south of the border -- joining forces with a motley crew: two humans (Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona), a sly rat (voice of Cheech Marin) and a nervous iguana (voice of Paul Rodriguez) – to rescue his true love.

This was an excellent kids movie. There are few movies that your kids would enjoy more than this bad boy. Unfortunately, its not as entertaining for the adults taking the kids. Don't get me wrong. There are definitely numerous big laughs, but there is nothing in this movie that you didn't already chuckle at in the trailer. However, these movies are in no way made for us, people. Its made for the kids and it definitely reaches its target audience perfectly. On a totally unrelated side note - how with the US economy being so bad does this movie making 30 million dollars on its opening weekend? Seriously?

I completely recommend this movie for anyone with kids. They will fully enjoy it and it will make it worth your time watching them laugh regardless of what you think of the movie.

Sex Drive

Eighteen-year-old Ian Lafferty sets out on a cross country drive with his best friends Lance and Felicia in order to lose his virginity to a red-hot babe he met on the Internet. But the journey, filled with hilarious misadventures and raunchy escapades, teaches all three more than they expected about life and love.

I watched this movie for exactly 19 minutes before pulling the plug. Its just another one in a never ending string of poorly made road trip/sex comedies. These things are getting as repetitve and craptastic as the Japanese horror remakes. I feel so bad for this present generation of teenager that they will miss out on the classic road trip/sex comedies that my generation got. The ones that are churned out today are total wastes of time and while you might smile or giggle at a certain scene are nowhere near the level of comedy that they were back in the day.

I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering to watch this. Although I only watched the beginning, there is simply no way that this got any better.

What Just Happened

Ben (De Niro) is already in over his head trying to balance the tug-of-war of having two ex-wives and two different families with his latest business venture – the boldly "visionary" movie "Fiercely" starring Sean Penn (Sean Penn) – when everything that can go wrong goes completely screwy."Fiercely" looks like an audience-offending flop which draws the ire of iron-gloved studio chief Lou (Catherine Keener), who forces him into tangling with the film's rebellious and drug-addled director Jeremy (Michael Wincott). Meanwhile, he's confused and bewitched by his ex Kelly (Robin Wright Penn) who can't make up her mind about him; shocked by his daughter Zoe (Kristen Stewart), who seems to have grown up overnight; infuriated by his screenwriter friend Scott (Stanley Tucci) who's trying to make a deal with him while making moves on his former wife; horrified by a hirsute Bruce Willis (Bruce Willis) and flummoxed by Willis' nebbishy agent Dick (John Turturro), who's scared to death of his own clients.Somehow amidst all the madness, treachery, deceit, runaway egos, rampant commercialism, personal politics and atrocious behavior of America’s dream-making machinery, Ben has to find a way not just to make it to Cannes with a finished film, but to cope.


This movie is just plain boring. I'm actually sorry that I didn't shorten the synopsis paragraph and that you guys read through that whole thing. This is simply one of those movies that you throw in the towel on caring less than halfway through it. I was pretty surprised considering how much I love DeNiro. Sadly, this is one of those every 5 movies he makes clunkers and you really shouldn't waste your time.


I wouldn't recommend anyone bothering to check this out. Its totally not worth the rental fee and its not even worth the trip there and two hours of your life you could be doing or watching something so much better.

The Haunting Of Molly Hartley

In this tale, something evil lurks just beneath the lush surfaces of teenaged girl's private school world - and it holds the rights to her very soul. Now, on the eve of her 18th birthday, Molly Hartley is about to discover the truth of just who, or rather what, it is she is destined to become.


This movie was pretty much a big turd. Are you surprised? Pointless PG-13 horror movie with no name actors and not based on a Japanese horror movie. Honestly, you can take one look at the poster and all suspense is removed from any possible twists and turns that may happen along with way. The only thing more annoying than suffering through this piece of garbage is the final scene that does nothing more than make you contemplate how much a new tv would cost if you decided to throw something through the one you are watching.


I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Ever. This would be an incredibly lame made for Lifetime "scary" movie.

Religulous

The documentary Religulous follows political humorist and author Bill Maher ("Real Time With Bill Maher") as he travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. Known for his astute analytical skills, irreverent wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey.


I've never really been a big fan of Bill Maher. I used to like some of his really old stand up material, but he's too politically charged for my tastes now and I've never really bothered watching his show. However, I loved this movie. I found myself laughing my ass off at certain points and his commentary to what some people had said. I'm the type of person that always questions stuff like he did in this movie so I found myself really enjoying it. I don't want to go too in depth with my doubts of the church/religion here, but if you are like me in that regard - you will most definitely enjoy this film. I'm usually not a big documentary fan but this was one of the better non-Morgan Spurlock ones I've seen.


I would recommend everyone checking this out . . . . . unless you consider yourself to be very religous and aren't very open minded to hearing "the other side" of th. If thats the case - you should probably avoid this movie like the black plague.

Midnight Meat Train

Next stop...death. When Leon Kaufman's (Bradley Cooper) latest body of work – a collection of provocative, nighttime studies of the city and its inhabitants - earns the struggling photographer interest from prominent art gallerist Susan Hoff (Brooke Shields), she propels him to get grittier and show the darker side of humanity for his upcoming debut at her downtown art space. Believing he's finally on track for success, Leon's obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer, Mahogany (Vinnie Jones), the subway murderer who stalks late-night commuters - ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways imaginable. With his concerned girlfriend Maya (Leslie Bibb) fearing for his life, Leon's relentless fascination with Mahogany lures him further and further into the bowels of the subways and ultimately into an abyss of pure evil – inadvertently pulling Maya right along with him.


This movie was absolutely absurd. I made it through 20 minutes before pulling the plug. The movie definitely had the gore factor on its side, but I just couldn't get past the absurdity of a subway car having just one person in it. Seriously. For those of us that have ever used the subway before have you ever been alone with one other person on a whole subway train? Didn't think so.


This movie was poop. Total poop. Don't ever rent it. Don't even watch it when its on cable.

How To Lose Friends & Alienate People

After disrupting one black-tie event by allowing a wild pig to run rampant, Sidney catches the attention of Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges), editor of Sharp, and accepts a job with the magazine in New York City. Clayton warns Sidney that he'd better impress and charm everyone he can, if he wants to succeed. Instead, Sidney instantly insults and annoys fellow writer Alison Olsen (Kirsten Dunst). He dares to target the star clients of power publicist Eleanor Johnson (Gillian Anderson). He upsets his direct boss Lawrence Maddox (Danny Huston) and tries to make amends by hiring a stripper to dance for Lawrence during a staff meeting. Sidney, of course, doesn't stop there, finding creative ways to annoy nearly everyone. His saving graces: a rising, sexy starlet (Megan Fox) develops an odd affection for him, and in time, Alison whose friendship with him might be the only thing saving Sidney from torpedoing his career.


I happen to find Simon Pegg hilarious. There is just something about his physical humor and sarcastic line delivery that really gets me. This movie is just like all of his other movies. Nothing happens that you don't see coming a mile away. The other acting outside of Jeff Bridges (what happen to this guy? He was Starman, people!!!) is just kind of there. However, Simon Pegg played very funny off of all of them and it definitely made the movie enjoyable.


I would recommend people checking this out via rental. Its worth the rental fee and if you are a Simon Pegg fan like me - you will probably really like it.

Quarantine

Television reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles Fire Station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from one of the apartment units. They soon learn that a woman living in the building has been infected by something unknown. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape with the news crew in tow, only to find that the CDC has quarantined the building. Phones, internet, televisions and cell phone access have been cut-off, and officials are not relaying information to those locked inside. When the quarantine is finally lifted, the only evidence of what took place is the news crew's videotape.

This movie would have been scary as all hell if it wasn't for the home video style of filming in it. The first 20 minutes of the movie were a total waste. We didn't need to see the reporter giggling with the firefighters and what not for that long. Just get to the contaminated house already. They also tried to build some sort of suspense as to what the disease was (SPOILER ALERT - some kind of an advanced string of rabies . . . . I think) and you don't really need to know. Its basically like a zombie movie in a quarantined house. Its a decent watch once you take out all of the above nonsense, but its scare potential is very limited because of the shaky camera work. The other thing I still can't get over is that (SPOILER ALERT), the main marketing scene that is all over the posters and commercials is the final scene of the movie. Why in the blue hell would they do that?

I'd recommend this movie to big horror fans. Just don't have your expectations too high. The movie is definitely watchable but could have been SO much better.