Single and indecisive, Eddie (Ben Stiller) begins dating the incredibly sexy and seemingly fabulous Lila. Upon the urging of his father and best friend, Eddie proposes to her after only a week, fearing this may be his last chance at love, marriage, and happiness. However, while on their honeymoon in sunny Mexico, Lila reveals her true beyond-awful nature and Eddie meets Miranda, the woman he realizes to be his actual soul mate. Eddie must keep his new, increasingly horrid wife at bay as he attempts to woo the girl of his dreams.
There were some really big laughs in this movie. However, the absolute funniest part of the movie was the guy sitting two rows in front of me. You know how sometimes you laugh harder at things because of how much someone else is enjoying it? This guy had me crying because of how hard he was laughing at the movie. He definitely made it more enjoyable than it was. That's not to say that the movie wasn't funny on its own. It definitely was. I love watching Ben Stiller's facial reactions. They truly are priceless. This being a Farrely Brothers movie though, there are a few mind blowing sight gags that push the envelope big time. There is one that rivals the caught in the zipper scene from There's Something About Mary that makes you cringe beyond belief and laugh only because of how totally uncomfortable you've become. Be sure to never let kids anywhere near this movie! Besides that and the couple of over the top sex scenes, the movie is pretty funny. They didn't need to push the sex envelope so much, but that seems to unfortunately be the new Hollywood trend. The movie was plenty funny without it and I think that stuff like that held the movie back somewhat.
I'd recommend people checking this out if they want a good laugh. Just take heed about some of the over the top stuff and keep kids as far away from this as possible.
Eastern Promises
The mysterious and charismatic Russian-born Nikolai Luzhin (Mortensen) is a driver for one of London's most notorious organized crime families of Eastern European origin. The family itself is part of the Vory V Zakone criminal brotherhood. Headed by Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl), whose courtly charm as the welcoming proprietor of the plush Trans-Siberian restaurant impeccably masks a cold and brutal core, the family's fortunes are tested by Semyon's volatile son and enforcer, Kirill (Vincent Cassel), who is more tightly bound to Nikolai than to his own father. But Nikolai's carefully maintained existence is jarred once he crosses paths at Christmastime with Anna Khitrova (Naomi Watts), a midwife at a North London hospital. Anna is deeply affected by the desperate situation of a young teenager who dies while giving birth to a baby. Anna resolves to try to trace the baby's lineage and relatives. The girl's personal diary also survives her; it is written in Russian, and Anna seeks answers in it. Anna's mother Helen (Sinead Cusack) does not discourage her, but Anna's irascible Russian-born uncle Stepan (Jerzy Skolimowski) urges caution. He is right to do so; by delving into the diary, Anna has accidentally unleashed the full fury of the Vory.
Let's just get out of the way that you should know before going in to this that there is a crazy knife fight in which Viggo Mortensen is butt naked. I mean like the fight scene from Borat with knives, people! I just thought I'd warn my peeps about this before discussing the movie. That being out of the way now, the movie was actually very well done. It's not really a mainstream movie though. Its an artsy drama about the mob with good performances by all included. There are a couple of really violent scenes (including the aforementioned naked fight scene), but its mostly a character drama besides that. This is one of those movies that has a lot of tension built in throughout the movie, but no big end point where its all released. The tension is simply properly directed to keep your attention throughout the movie. There was one thing that I just couldn't get out of my head during this movie. Does every son of a mob boss have to be such a out of control dumbass? In every mob movie or television show - the son is always the stupidest guy in the world. What's that about?
I'd recommend people checking this one out if they were interested by the commercial for it. Just be warned that its a artsy type movie and this may disappoint a lot of people who are looking forward to some big wham bam type ending that doesn't happen.
Let's just get out of the way that you should know before going in to this that there is a crazy knife fight in which Viggo Mortensen is butt naked. I mean like the fight scene from Borat with knives, people! I just thought I'd warn my peeps about this before discussing the movie. That being out of the way now, the movie was actually very well done. It's not really a mainstream movie though. Its an artsy drama about the mob with good performances by all included. There are a couple of really violent scenes (including the aforementioned naked fight scene), but its mostly a character drama besides that. This is one of those movies that has a lot of tension built in throughout the movie, but no big end point where its all released. The tension is simply properly directed to keep your attention throughout the movie. There was one thing that I just couldn't get out of my head during this movie. Does every son of a mob boss have to be such a out of control dumbass? In every mob movie or television show - the son is always the stupidest guy in the world. What's that about?
I'd recommend people checking this one out if they were interested by the commercial for it. Just be warned that its a artsy type movie and this may disappoint a lot of people who are looking forward to some big wham bam type ending that doesn't happen.
Rush Hour 3
Rush Hour 3 sees the beloved action comedy duo of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan reprising their roles as LAPD Detective James Carter and Chinese Chief Inspector Lee respectively. This time around, the two must travel to Paris to battle a wing of the Chinese organized crime family, the Triads.
Every once and a while a sequel comes out where the movie studio basically decided that nothing really matters production or script wise and that they can just throw the characters that we like up on the screen for an hour and a half and we will all go plunk our money down and watch whatever the characters we know will do and say while they make hundreds of millions of dollars. Think Men In Black 2. Well, Rush Hour 3 is totally one of those sequels. I don't even think that they had a script for this movie. I think that they just filmed Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan doing whatever they wanted knowing that we would all pay to watch regardless. This was not a "good" movie by any means. However, I happen to think that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are absolutely hilarious! I am also a HUGE fan of any movie that shows you the bloopers during the end credits and few things have ever made me laugh harder than the bloopers on all three Rush Hour movies.
If you find Tucker and Chan funny like I do, you will like this movie and I recommend it even though this really isn't a well done movie. If you don't - stay far, far away because you will think it is some of the worst money you've ever spent.
Every once and a while a sequel comes out where the movie studio basically decided that nothing really matters production or script wise and that they can just throw the characters that we like up on the screen for an hour and a half and we will all go plunk our money down and watch whatever the characters we know will do and say while they make hundreds of millions of dollars. Think Men In Black 2. Well, Rush Hour 3 is totally one of those sequels. I don't even think that they had a script for this movie. I think that they just filmed Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan doing whatever they wanted knowing that we would all pay to watch regardless. This was not a "good" movie by any means. However, I happen to think that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are absolutely hilarious! I am also a HUGE fan of any movie that shows you the bloopers during the end credits and few things have ever made me laugh harder than the bloopers on all three Rush Hour movies.
If you find Tucker and Chan funny like I do, you will like this movie and I recommend it even though this really isn't a well done movie. If you don't - stay far, far away because you will think it is some of the worst money you've ever spent.
The Kingdom
When a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. While diplomats slowly debate equations of territorialism, FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) quickly assembles an elite team (Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman) and negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind the bombing. Upon landing in the desert kingdom, however, Fleury and his team discover Saudi authorities suspicious and unwelcoming of American interlopers into what they consider a local matter. Hamstrung by protocol—and with the clock ticking on their five days—the FBI agents find their expertise worthless without the trust of their Saudi counterparts, who want to locate the terrorist in their homeland on their own terms. Fleury’s crew finds a like-minded partner in Saudi Colonel Al-Ghazi (Ashraf Barhoum), who helps them navigate royal politics and unlock the secrets of the crime scene and the workings of an extremist cell bent on further destruction.
This movie was amazing! The direction was perfect as the level of tension was so high from the first scene that you don't look at your watch once and manage to fight off any urge to go to the bathroom or get a soda refill. The acting performances were phenomenal. Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper (still the most underrated actor in Hollywood) were great as always. Jennifer Garner was surprisingly unannoying and Jason Bateman was hysterical. I am so glad to see Bateman back in mainstream acting again. I never understood how he fell off the face of the planet for a couple of years because he has always had some of the most perfect sarcasm delivery. They were all so well developed, even the Saudi Arabian cop, that you find yourself truly caring what happens to them. On top of all this - the movie really makes you think and could go a long way towards opening people's eyes to what really is going on over there and erasing some of that "kill them all" mentality.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more. It is a definite must see and will certainly end up as one of my top ten movies of 2007.
This movie was amazing! The direction was perfect as the level of tension was so high from the first scene that you don't look at your watch once and manage to fight off any urge to go to the bathroom or get a soda refill. The acting performances were phenomenal. Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper (still the most underrated actor in Hollywood) were great as always. Jennifer Garner was surprisingly unannoying and Jason Bateman was hysterical. I am so glad to see Bateman back in mainstream acting again. I never understood how he fell off the face of the planet for a couple of years because he has always had some of the most perfect sarcasm delivery. They were all so well developed, even the Saudi Arabian cop, that you find yourself truly caring what happens to them. On top of all this - the movie really makes you think and could go a long way towards opening people's eyes to what really is going on over there and erasing some of that "kill them all" mentality.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more. It is a definite must see and will certainly end up as one of my top ten movies of 2007.
Balls Of Fury
In the unsanctioned, underground, and unhinged world of extreme Ping-Pong, the competition is brutal and the stakes are deadly. Now, this outrageous new comedy serves up this secret world for the first time on-screen. Down-and-out former professional Ping-Pong phenom Randy Daytona (Dan Fogler) is sucked into this maelstrom when FBI Agent Rodriguez (George Lopez) recruits him for a secret mission. Randy is determined to bounce back and recapture his former glory, and to smoke out his father's killer – one of the FBI's Most Wanted, arch-fiend Feng (Christopher Walken). But, after two decades out of the game, Randy can't turn his life around and avenge his father's murder without a team of his own. He calls upon the spiritual guidance of blind Ping-Pong sage and restaurateur Wong (James Hong), and the training expertise of Master Wong's niece Maggie (Maggie Q), both of whom also have a dark history with Feng. All roads lead to Feng's mysterious jungle compound and the most unique Ping-Pong tournaments ever staged.
This movie is exactly what you would think it would be - totally pointless and incredibly stupid. However, as long as you know to expect that (why anyone wouldn't is completely beyond me), you can manage to laugh at quite a few spots. I rented this with bottom of the barrell expectations and came away thinking that the movie wasn't that bad. I always find Christopher Walken hilarious . . . . . even when he's being serious.
I wouldn't fully recommend anyone checking this out because it is a truly dumb movie. If you are okay with spending the money for some cheap laughs then knock yourself out though.
This movie is exactly what you would think it would be - totally pointless and incredibly stupid. However, as long as you know to expect that (why anyone wouldn't is completely beyond me), you can manage to laugh at quite a few spots. I rented this with bottom of the barrell expectations and came away thinking that the movie wasn't that bad. I always find Christopher Walken hilarious . . . . . even when he's being serious.
I wouldn't fully recommend anyone checking this out because it is a truly dumb movie. If you are okay with spending the money for some cheap laughs then knock yourself out though.
Underdog
After an accident in the mysterious lab of maniacal scientist Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage), an ordinary beagle unexpectedly finds himself with unimaginable powers and the ability to speak. Armed with a fetching superhero costume, Underdog (voiced by comedian Jason Lee) vows to protect the beleaguered citizens of Capitol City and, in particular, one beautiful spaniel named Polly Purebread. When a sinister plot by Barsinister and his overgrown henchman Cad (Patrick Warburton) threatens to destroy Capitol City only Underdog can save the day.
This was a great movie for kids. Big laughs for them and not a really complicated story or anything. The parents taking the kids might not enjoy it quite as much though. The only thing that I really loved about this movie was the voice of Jason Lee as Underdog. I think that he's hilarious and has awesome punchline delivery. Anyone who isn't watching My Name Is Earl on a weekly basis really should go out of their way to fit it in. Peter Dinklage (the small person author from Elf) was pretty good . . . . . you really can't go wrong with flying midgets - Cinco likey mucho! . . . . . as was Patrick Warburton. Unfortunately for the adults though, this movie was cornified a little too much and is targeted directly for the kids.
I would strongly recommend anyone who has kids checking this bad boy out. You adults will have a few chuckles. However, if you don't have kids and want to see it just because of how you were an old school Underdog fan - keep your expectations low, peoples.
This was a great movie for kids. Big laughs for them and not a really complicated story or anything. The parents taking the kids might not enjoy it quite as much though. The only thing that I really loved about this movie was the voice of Jason Lee as Underdog. I think that he's hilarious and has awesome punchline delivery. Anyone who isn't watching My Name Is Earl on a weekly basis really should go out of their way to fit it in. Peter Dinklage (the small person author from Elf) was pretty good . . . . . you really can't go wrong with flying midgets - Cinco likey mucho! . . . . . as was Patrick Warburton. Unfortunately for the adults though, this movie was cornified a little too much and is targeted directly for the kids.
I would strongly recommend anyone who has kids checking this bad boy out. You adults will have a few chuckles. However, if you don't have kids and want to see it just because of how you were an old school Underdog fan - keep your expectations low, peoples.
Stardust
Stardust takes audiences on an adventure that begins in a village in England and ends up in places that exist in an imaginary world. A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller) by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden land beyond the walls of his village. On his odyssey, Tristan finds the star, which has transformed into a striking girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes). However, Tristan is not the only one seeking the star. A king's (Peter O'Toole) four living sons – not to mention the ghosts of their three dead brothers – all need the star as they vie for the throne. Tristan must also overcome the evil witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who needs the star to make her young again. As Tristan battles to survive these threats, encountering a pirate named Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) and a shady trader named Ferdy the Fence (Ricky Gervais) along the way, his quest changes. He must now win the heart of the star for himself as he discovers the meaning of true love.
This was a really great fantasy movie. I've always been a big fan of movies like The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal. This was a movie like those. It had some really funny moments, great fight scenes, and very well developed central characters. The only knock that I can really make against it is that it drags a bit at the beginning and that it may be tough for kids to keep their attention through that part (the future steppies ended up bailing to go watch The Simpsons movie because of this). However, once Tristan meets up with the star and they start travelling, the movie is great, fun entertainment.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking this one out. Those of you with children, be sure to remember that it is a little tedious for the first half hour or so.
This was a really great fantasy movie. I've always been a big fan of movies like The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal. This was a movie like those. It had some really funny moments, great fight scenes, and very well developed central characters. The only knock that I can really make against it is that it drags a bit at the beginning and that it may be tough for kids to keep their attention through that part (the future steppies ended up bailing to go watch The Simpsons movie because of this). However, once Tristan meets up with the star and they start travelling, the movie is great, fun entertainment.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking this one out. Those of you with children, be sure to remember that it is a little tedious for the first half hour or so.
Halloween
From Rob Zombie comes an entirely new take on the highly successful and terrifying Halloween legacy that began in 1978. While revealing a new chapter in the established Michael Myers saga, the film will surprise both classic and modern horror fans with a departure from prior films in the Halloween franchise. Zombie turns back time to uncover the making of a pathologically disturbed, even cursed child named Michael Myers.
I really don't understand Hollywood's fascination with remaking things lately. It's gotten completely out of control. This movie is yet another venture in to the totally pointless. The original Halloween was in my opinion the best of those slasher movies. I always thought Michael Myers was a thousand times better than Freddy or Jason or Leatherhead. The original Halloween, Halloween II and Halloween IV were all great scary movies. The franchise got beyond beaten to death and now comes a total "revamping" of the original story. The only difference between this movie and the original was that you found out that Michael's stepfather was a loudmouthed loser and his mom was a stripper. On top of that, Rob Zombie decided to go the rout of needless gore, the most massive amount of F bombs I've ever heard and random exposed breasts instead of any sort of scary moments or good fear buildup whatsoever. Its pretty sad when I'm totally desensitized to the fact that someone gets their throat slit because there is no suspense and basically I just don't care by the time it happens. I might have jumped once and found myself pretty bored and ready to pull the plug about half way through the movie.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone bothering to check this one out. Its a shame because the original Halloween really is a classic and this one could have made it better but instead white trashed it.
I really don't understand Hollywood's fascination with remaking things lately. It's gotten completely out of control. This movie is yet another venture in to the totally pointless. The original Halloween was in my opinion the best of those slasher movies. I always thought Michael Myers was a thousand times better than Freddy or Jason or Leatherhead. The original Halloween, Halloween II and Halloween IV were all great scary movies. The franchise got beyond beaten to death and now comes a total "revamping" of the original story. The only difference between this movie and the original was that you found out that Michael's stepfather was a loudmouthed loser and his mom was a stripper. On top of that, Rob Zombie decided to go the rout of needless gore, the most massive amount of F bombs I've ever heard and random exposed breasts instead of any sort of scary moments or good fear buildup whatsoever. Its pretty sad when I'm totally desensitized to the fact that someone gets their throat slit because there is no suspense and basically I just don't care by the time it happens. I might have jumped once and found myself pretty bored and ready to pull the plug about half way through the movie.
I wouldn't really recommend anyone bothering to check this one out. Its a shame because the original Halloween really is a classic and this one could have made it better but instead white trashed it.
The Simpsons Movie
In the eagerly-awaited film based on the hit television series, Homer must save the world from a catastrophe he himself created. It all begins with Homer, his new pet pig, and a leaky silo full of droppings - a combination that triggers a disaster the likes of which Springfield has never experienced. As Marge is outraged by Homer's monumental blunder, a vengeful mob descends on the Simpson household. The family makes a narrow escape, but is soon divided by both location and conflict. The Springfield citizenry has every reason to be out for Simpson blood. The calamity triggered by Homer has drawn the attention of U.S. President Arnold Schwarzenegger (voiced by Harry Shearer) and Environmental Protection Agency head Russ Cargill (voiced by Albert Brooks). He comes up with a plan to contain the disaster. As the fates of Springfield and the world hang in the balance, Homer embarks on a personal odyssey of redemption - seeking forgiveness from Marge, the reunion of his splintered family, and the salvation of his hometown.
This movie was hysterical. I have been a huge fan of the show for more than half of my life and knew that I would love this one going it. Its basically like a month long arc of the show. They don't try to overdo it at all which I was very afraid would happen. They stayed completely true to the show's form and it was beyond entertaining. Parents beware taking your kids though. Since they are on the big screen, they do push the envelope a little bit much for younger ones. There is a drug scene, Homer giving the middle finger and brief frontal nudity of Bart while skateboarding. Ye hath been warned.
Regardless, I totally loved this movie and wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone. Fans of the show will love it and even those that aren't will love it as well . . . . . even if you don't want to admit it.
This movie was hysterical. I have been a huge fan of the show for more than half of my life and knew that I would love this one going it. Its basically like a month long arc of the show. They don't try to overdo it at all which I was very afraid would happen. They stayed completely true to the show's form and it was beyond entertaining. Parents beware taking your kids though. Since they are on the big screen, they do push the envelope a little bit much for younger ones. There is a drug scene, Homer giving the middle finger and brief frontal nudity of Bart while skateboarding. Ye hath been warned.
Regardless, I totally loved this movie and wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone. Fans of the show will love it and even those that aren't will love it as well . . . . . even if you don't want to admit it.
The Bourne Ultimatum
All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly-trained killers. Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. Now, in the new chapter of this espionage series, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to find a future. He must travel from Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to find the real Jason Bourne--all the while trying to outmaneuver the scores of cops, federal officers and Interpol agents with him in their crosshairs.
I love the Bourne movies. They are those types of amazing stuntwork action movies. There's no heavy duty special effects. Its just straight up tension from start to finish with some of the slickest looking fight and chase scenes. This one is just like the previous two except I found myself enjoying it more because I already knew who the characters were and they didn't have to spend all the character development time that would usually be necessary. This movie was very smart, tight, and action packed. The way that it was filmed made you feel all tense and what not even when the characters were just having conversations. It was a great summer movie.
I fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is well worth the rental fee.
I love the Bourne movies. They are those types of amazing stuntwork action movies. There's no heavy duty special effects. Its just straight up tension from start to finish with some of the slickest looking fight and chase scenes. This one is just like the previous two except I found myself enjoying it more because I already knew who the characters were and they didn't have to spend all the character development time that would usually be necessary. This movie was very smart, tight, and action packed. The way that it was filmed made you feel all tense and what not even when the characters were just having conversations. It was a great summer movie.
I fully recommend everyone checking this movie out. It is well worth the rental fee.
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community has been denied the truth about the teenager's recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort. Fearing that Hogwarts' venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort's return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students. But Professor Dolores Umbridge's Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore's Army," Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.
I had read a couple of reviews before going to see this and they all kept saying that anyone who hadn't read the Harry Potter books or seen the movies wouldn't really like this movie. Seriously? Who in the blue hell decides to start with Harry Potter by randomly seeing the FIFTH movie!?! Anyone who does that deserves not to get what is going on. However, after having seen the movie - I think I can identify a little bit more with those reviews because even for those of you that have read the books and seen the movies, you would think that you had missed the first twenty minutes of the movie if you showed up twenty seconds late. This is due to the fact that this Harry Potter hits the ground running. Unlike the previous four movies, there is no slow build up. The movie starts pretty much right where Goblet Of Fire left off and this movie is all about the main storyline. There wasn't any time wasted on subplots and what not. While some of the die hard fans might be mad that it left out chunks of the book, I loved it. There were NO dead spots at all and the bottom line is that this book (as well as the sixth book) were much different than the previous four. The previous four books each had more of a stand alone story to it with Goblet Of Fire ending with the return of Voldemort. To make more sense in a Star Wars parallel, books 1 - 4 were like Star Wars and books 5 - 6 are like The Empire Strikes Back. This movie definitely had that feel that you were watching part of a whole instead of a seperate movie. Regardless - I thought that the movie was well done and was kind of glad that there weren't the useless 40 minutes of fluff that were in the other Harry Potter movies. This movie franchise also deserves major kudos for still being amazing five movies in. What other franchise has ever done that?
I very strongly recommend that everyone check this out. Even if you haven't entered the world of Harry Potter by now - go watch the other four and check this one out asap, people!
I had read a couple of reviews before going to see this and they all kept saying that anyone who hadn't read the Harry Potter books or seen the movies wouldn't really like this movie. Seriously? Who in the blue hell decides to start with Harry Potter by randomly seeing the FIFTH movie!?! Anyone who does that deserves not to get what is going on. However, after having seen the movie - I think I can identify a little bit more with those reviews because even for those of you that have read the books and seen the movies, you would think that you had missed the first twenty minutes of the movie if you showed up twenty seconds late. This is due to the fact that this Harry Potter hits the ground running. Unlike the previous four movies, there is no slow build up. The movie starts pretty much right where Goblet Of Fire left off and this movie is all about the main storyline. There wasn't any time wasted on subplots and what not. While some of the die hard fans might be mad that it left out chunks of the book, I loved it. There were NO dead spots at all and the bottom line is that this book (as well as the sixth book) were much different than the previous four. The previous four books each had more of a stand alone story to it with Goblet Of Fire ending with the return of Voldemort. To make more sense in a Star Wars parallel, books 1 - 4 were like Star Wars and books 5 - 6 are like The Empire Strikes Back. This movie definitely had that feel that you were watching part of a whole instead of a seperate movie. Regardless - I thought that the movie was well done and was kind of glad that there weren't the useless 40 minutes of fluff that were in the other Harry Potter movies. This movie franchise also deserves major kudos for still being amazing five movies in. What other franchise has ever done that?
I very strongly recommend that everyone check this out. Even if you haven't entered the world of Harry Potter by now - go watch the other four and check this one out asap, people!
The Nannie Diaries
The Nanny Diaries tells the story of the emotional and humorous journey of Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson), a young woman from a working-class neighborhood in New Jersey, struggling to understand her place in the world. Fresh out of college, she gets tremendous pressure from her nurse mother to find a respectable position in the business world although Annie would prefer to trade in her blackberry for an anthropologist's field diary. Through a serendipitous meeting, Annie ends up in the elite and ritualistic culture of Manhattan's Upper East Side -- as remote from Annie's suburban New Jersey upbringing as life in an Amazon tribal village. Choosing to duck out of real life, Annie accepts the position as a nanny for a wealthy family, referred to as simply "the X's." She quickly learns that life is not very rosy on the other side of the tax bracket, as she must cater to the every whim of Mrs. X (Laura Linney) and her precocious son Grayer, while attempting to avoid the formidable Mr. X (Paul Giamatti). Life becomes even more complicated when Annie falls for a Park Avenue guy (Chris Evans), and she's forced to explore her identity as never before.
I had read the book for this movie and had really liked it due to my experience working in day care. It really captures that whole absent parent thing incredibly well. This movie was basically Devil Wears Prada meets day care. At one point, I even noticed one of the extras reading a copy of Devil Wears Prada. Weird. Anywho - I enjoyed this movie. I loved the narration throughout the movie and the way that they were comparing society to exhibits in a museum was great. Laura Linney is awesome as always and this was one of Johansson's better roles I think.
I would recommend checking this movie out. As the summer winds down, this will probably be one of the more enjoyable movies out there as the studios bombard us with a bunch of rancid turds.
I had read the book for this movie and had really liked it due to my experience working in day care. It really captures that whole absent parent thing incredibly well. This movie was basically Devil Wears Prada meets day care. At one point, I even noticed one of the extras reading a copy of Devil Wears Prada. Weird. Anywho - I enjoyed this movie. I loved the narration throughout the movie and the way that they were comparing society to exhibits in a museum was great. Laura Linney is awesome as always and this was one of Johansson's better roles I think.
I would recommend checking this movie out. As the summer winds down, this will probably be one of the more enjoyable movies out there as the studios bombard us with a bunch of rancid turds.
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.
I Know Who Killed Me
Lindsay Lohan plays Aubrey, the young daughter of affluent parents who is abducted and mutilated by a sadistic serial killer. She manages to escape, but the girl who regains consciousness in the hospital claims to be not Aubrey but Dakota - identical to Aubrey, but with a much different demeanor. Dakota struggles to convince anyone that she is not Aubrey and finds herself in a desperate race to save Aubrey's life and her own against overwhelming odds.
I know who killed me? No $hit! So does the rest of the world, Lindsay. It was yourself! OH MY GOD! This is one of the worst movies of all time. Besides being a part of the triangle mess of Hollywood trash along with Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton, Lohan has completely solidified the spot of worst actress in Hollywood with this juicy turd of a performance. The rest of the cast wasn't any better and neither was the writing or direction. There is nothing worse in a suspense movie than when a director falls in love with that fade out button on the camera to try and build the suspense. I don't remotely know how WW and I managed to watch this whole thing. If I had seen this in theaters there is simply no way that would have happened!
I would never recommend this movie to anyone. Not even my worst enemy. Its simply cruel and horrid. I'd sooner watch a floater left in a toilet bowl for days. That would probably have twice as much aesthetic value than this movie.
I know who killed me? No $hit! So does the rest of the world, Lindsay. It was yourself! OH MY GOD! This is one of the worst movies of all time. Besides being a part of the triangle mess of Hollywood trash along with Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton, Lohan has completely solidified the spot of worst actress in Hollywood with this juicy turd of a performance. The rest of the cast wasn't any better and neither was the writing or direction. There is nothing worse in a suspense movie than when a director falls in love with that fade out button on the camera to try and build the suspense. I don't remotely know how WW and I managed to watch this whole thing. If I had seen this in theaters there is simply no way that would have happened!
I would never recommend this movie to anyone. Not even my worst enemy. Its simply cruel and horrid. I'd sooner watch a floater left in a toilet bowl for days. That would probably have twice as much aesthetic value than this movie.
Rescue Dawn
In the annals of history's great escapes there is no other story like that of Dieter Dengler, the only American to ever break out of a POW camp in the impenetrable Laotian jungle. After months plotting his getaway from a harrowing prison and a death-defying journey through some of the world's fiercest wilderness, Dengler appeared at his first press conference looking like a dashing movie star and showing neither sentimentality nor bitterness - simply an indomitable will to survive that allowed him to triumph against impossible odds.
This was a really powerful movie. The acting and direction were both excellent and made it all seem so personal and real. You truly feel for these prisoners on their intense journey. The actors went all out for their roles and made themselves physically look like POWs. It was amazing. I wish I would have gotten a chance to see this movie in theaters.
I would strongly recommend people checking this one out. Its a very powerful drama and really makes you feel for the characters' struggles and those who really went through something like this.
This was a really powerful movie. The acting and direction were both excellent and made it all seem so personal and real. You truly feel for these prisoners on their intense journey. The actors went all out for their roles and made themselves physically look like POWs. It was amazing. I wish I would have gotten a chance to see this movie in theaters.
I would strongly recommend people checking this one out. Its a very powerful drama and really makes you feel for the characters' struggles and those who really went through something like this.
Hot Rod
Self-proclaimed stuntman Rod Taylor is preparing for the jump of his life. Rod plans to clear fifteen buses in an attempt to raise money for his abusive stepfather Frank's life-saving heart operation. He'll land the jump, get Frank better, and then fight him, hard.
This might have honestly been one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen. That being said - I found myself laughing my a$$ off at numerous points throughout it. This movie reminded me a lot of Napolean Dynamite. It was by no means a good movie or even a straight forward comedy, but you can't help laughing at how silly and stupid the things are that are going on up there on the screen. There was one scene in the movie where Rod had to go to his quiet place and they did a spoof on Kevin Bacon having to "dance it out" from Footloose. I thought I was going to wet my pants.
I really don't know how to recommend this movie. Its not a good movie. Its actually a complete waste of time watching something this stupid. However, you might end up totally loving wasting your time. Its simply one of those movies in the mold of Napolean Dynamite, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, The Last Dragon, etc. You all know that you've watched them and enjoyed them and have no idea why. Don't make that face at the computer!
This might have honestly been one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen. That being said - I found myself laughing my a$$ off at numerous points throughout it. This movie reminded me a lot of Napolean Dynamite. It was by no means a good movie or even a straight forward comedy, but you can't help laughing at how silly and stupid the things are that are going on up there on the screen. There was one scene in the movie where Rod had to go to his quiet place and they did a spoof on Kevin Bacon having to "dance it out" from Footloose. I thought I was going to wet my pants.
I really don't know how to recommend this movie. Its not a good movie. Its actually a complete waste of time watching something this stupid. However, you might end up totally loving wasting your time. Its simply one of those movies in the mold of Napolean Dynamite, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, The Last Dragon, etc. You all know that you've watched them and enjoyed them and have no idea why. Don't make that face at the computer!
Mr. Bean's Holiday
In his latest misadventure, Mr. Bean goes on holiday to the French Riviera and becomes ensnared in a European adventure of cinematic proportions. Tired of the dreary, wet London weather, Bean packs up his suitcase and camcorder to head to Cannes for some sun on the beach. But his trip doesn't go as smoothly as he had hoped when the bumbling Bean falls face first into a series of mishaps and fortunate coincidences, far-fetched enough to make his own avant-garde film. Wrongly thought to be both kidnapper and acclaimed filmmaker, he has some serious explaining to do after wreaking havoc across the French countryside and arriving at his vacation spot with a Romanian filmmaker's precocious son and an aspiring actress in tow.
I was always a big fan of the Mr. Bean show. Rowan Atkinson's physical humor is priceless. This movie was like a big, drawn out episode show. There were a couple of really big belly laughs, but also moments of total blahness. WW and I still enjoyed it and the future steppie and "niece" seemed to like it even more than we did. I guess that would count as a vote for kids liking it.
I'd half-heartedly recommend this movie. If you liked the show - you'll like the movie, but there are some pretty cruddy dead spots throughout the movie.
I was always a big fan of the Mr. Bean show. Rowan Atkinson's physical humor is priceless. This movie was like a big, drawn out episode show. There were a couple of really big belly laughs, but also moments of total blahness. WW and I still enjoyed it and the future steppie and "niece" seemed to like it even more than we did. I guess that would count as a vote for kids liking it.
I'd half-heartedly recommend this movie. If you liked the show - you'll like the movie, but there are some pretty cruddy dead spots throughout the movie.
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Tim Allen is back in his role of Scott Calvin - AKA Santa - in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. In this one, he is up against Jack Frost (Martin Short), who is trying to take over the holiday. At the same time, he has invited his in-laws to share in the holiday festivities, at the risk of revealing the location of the north pole, and upcoming birth of baby Claus because he wants his wife to feel less disconnected from her family.
There are movies that I refer to as STVs (Straight To Video) and even though this isn't an animated movie, this is definitely one of them. Disney was basically just making this movie for the sake of getting an extra 100 million dollars out of the movie going public. There really is no reason to go see this in theaters unless you have a child that wants to see it and are okay with spending the money and time to take them. I didn't even leave the movie having that feel good Christmas feeling. My future stepdaughter wasn't even close to gushing about it on the way out. That speaks volumes, people!
I wouldn't really recommend this bad boy to anyone. Kids might like it, but even that isn't guaranteed.
There are movies that I refer to as STVs (Straight To Video) and even though this isn't an animated movie, this is definitely one of them. Disney was basically just making this movie for the sake of getting an extra 100 million dollars out of the movie going public. There really is no reason to go see this in theaters unless you have a child that wants to see it and are okay with spending the money and time to take them. I didn't even leave the movie having that feel good Christmas feeling. My future stepdaughter wasn't even close to gushing about it on the way out. That speaks volumes, people!
I wouldn't really recommend this bad boy to anyone. Kids might like it, but even that isn't guaranteed.
Hairspray
Sixteen years after the release of the original film, New Line Cinema is bringing a feature film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway production Hairspray to life. Featuring new and original material based on John Waters' 1988 cult classic about star-struck teenagers on a local Baltimore dance show, the comedy features a remarkable collection of talent including John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, Allison Janney, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley.
The future stepdaughter couldn't wait to see this movie. She kept asking about it for months. I like to think of it as the High School Musical effect. Musicals have come back with a vengeance and the s.o.b.s decided to target young girls. I'd be a big fat liar if I tried to tell you that I didn't know all the songs from High School Musical. All of that being said - I was reluctant to say the least about going to see this movie because it looked so fluffy in the commercial and I couldn't remotely comprehend John Travolta's decision to play the role of a fat woman. However, the music and feel good vibe of the movie made it actually quite enjoyable. I am not afraid to admit that I was dancing in my chair at various points of the movie. And the bottom line is whether or not the wonderous future steppie liked it and she most absolutely did. The one thing that really does bother me about the movie is . . . . . . . who in the blue hell thought that John Travolta playing Edna Turnblatt was a good idea!?!
Even with the aforementioned worst casting ever - I strongly recommend this movie to everyone. It's a feel good movie that will put a smile on your face . . . . . even though Travolta plays a big fat woman.
The future stepdaughter couldn't wait to see this movie. She kept asking about it for months. I like to think of it as the High School Musical effect. Musicals have come back with a vengeance and the s.o.b.s decided to target young girls. I'd be a big fat liar if I tried to tell you that I didn't know all the songs from High School Musical. All of that being said - I was reluctant to say the least about going to see this movie because it looked so fluffy in the commercial and I couldn't remotely comprehend John Travolta's decision to play the role of a fat woman. However, the music and feel good vibe of the movie made it actually quite enjoyable. I am not afraid to admit that I was dancing in my chair at various points of the movie. And the bottom line is whether or not the wonderous future steppie liked it and she most absolutely did. The one thing that really does bother me about the movie is . . . . . . . who in the blue hell thought that John Travolta playing Edna Turnblatt was a good idea!?!
Even with the aforementioned worst casting ever - I strongly recommend this movie to everyone. It's a feel good movie that will put a smile on your face . . . . . even though Travolta plays a big fat woman.
Live Free Or Die Hard
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$$ and I strongly recommend it to all. I was skeptical when I heard that they were trying to revive this movie, but it was extremely entertaining and worthy of being made.
This is one of those perfect summer popcorn movies. The action scenes in this movie were amazing! I couldn't believe how many times I caught myself watching the movie with my mouth wide open in complete shock of what I was seeing up there on the screen. To make the movie even better the sarcastic banter between Bruce Willis and Justin Long (the hacker that he is trying to protect) as well as that between Willis and Timothy Olyphant (the bad guy) are priceless. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times throughout the movie. The only knock that I would make against the movie from a nostalgic point of view is that the movie is watered down compared to the other Die Hard movies because they wanted to get the PG-13 rating. Due to this, there isn't as much bloodshed. There are lots of explosions and numerous people die but you don't see the end result as much as you would have in the rest of the movie franchise. Bruce Willis doesn't even fully finish his Yippy Kay Yay line. On the flip side of the PG-13 rating, WW and I took two of the future stepkids to see this movie with us since it wasn't rated R and they absolutely loved it. Senor Skidmarkio kept yelling "Whoa!" thoughout the movie and I'd much rather see him enjoying it then seeing the bullets actually hit the bad guys.
This movie kicked some major a$$ 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.
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 leaves you 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 leaves you with a smile on your face.
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.
Deck The Halls
A movie about clashing neighbors over home decoration. Steve (Matthew Broderick), leads a well-organized life. His new neighbor is Danny (Danny DeVito), and he couldn't possibly be more different than Steve. Danny's dream is to create the biggest holiday light display in the world, visible from outer space.
Words do no justice to how horrid this movie is. It is by far the WORST holiday movie ever. Did you read the summary? It's about a guy whose dream it is to make his house visible from space. Not world peace. Not good health. Not lots of money. Not for super powers. He wants to make his house visible from space!?! The only thing that this movie even has to do with Christmas is that he is using Christmas lights to try and accomplish the most ridiculous dream ever.The worst part of watching this movie (besides the wanting to stab yourself in the eyes level of poopness overall) is the fact that I used to idolize Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller. Admit it! You all did! What the hell happened to this guy!?! How did he go from being THE MAN to the lame a$$ husband of Sara Jessica Parker? The dude had highlights in his hair in this movie!!! I wanted to cry when I thought about how much I used to worship this closet homosexual (not that there is anything wrong with that!).
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. EVER!!! It is once again the worst Christmas movie of all time. And that says a lot when you think that even Ernest made a Christmas movie, people!
Words do no justice to how horrid this movie is. It is by far the WORST holiday movie ever. Did you read the summary? It's about a guy whose dream it is to make his house visible from space. Not world peace. Not good health. Not lots of money. Not for super powers. He wants to make his house visible from space!?! The only thing that this movie even has to do with Christmas is that he is using Christmas lights to try and accomplish the most ridiculous dream ever.The worst part of watching this movie (besides the wanting to stab yourself in the eyes level of poopness overall) is the fact that I used to idolize Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller. Admit it! You all did! What the hell happened to this guy!?! How did he go from being THE MAN to the lame a$$ husband of Sara Jessica Parker? The dude had highlights in his hair in this movie!!! I wanted to cry when I thought about how much I used to worship this closet homosexual (not that there is anything wrong with that!).
I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. EVER!!! It is once again the worst Christmas movie of all time. And that says a lot when you think that even Ernest made a Christmas movie, people!
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Adam Sandler and Kevin James team as two straight guys who stumble down the aisle with the best of intentions in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Chuck Ford (Sandler) and Larry Allensworth (James) are the pride of their fire station: two guy's guys always side-by-side and willing to do anything for each other. Salt-of-the-earth widower Larry wants just one thing: to protect his family. His buddy Chuck also wants one thing: to enjoy the single life. Grateful Chuck owes Larry for saving his life in a fire, and Larry calls in that favor big time when civic red tape prevents him from naming his own two kids as his life insurance beneficiaries. All that Chuck has to do is claim to be Larry's domestic partner on some city forms. Easy. Nobody will ever know. But when an overzealous, spot-checking bureaucrat becomes suspicious, the new couple's arrangement becomes a citywide issue and goes from confidential to front-page news. Forced to improvise as love-struck newlyweds, Chuck and Larry must now fumble through a hilarious charade of domestic bliss under one roof. After surviving their mandatory honeymoon and dodging the threat of exposure, the well-intentioned con men discover that sticking together in your time of need is what truly makes a family.
I couldn't possibly be a bigger fan of Kevin James. I have always loved his stand up stuff and watch King Of Queens religiously in syndication numerous times a day. I couldn't wait to see this movie. Unfortunately, I think I let myself get a little bit too excited. The movie was good and nowhere near horrible, but I expected it to be a lot funnier than it was. The movie was basically one of those that pushes every possible cliche and pushes them as far as humanly possible and gets away from being funny anymore about half way through the movie. Kevin James is his usual hysterical self and the kid that plays his son in the movie was classic. Adam Sandler actually seemed to be the thing holding this movie back. He came across as funny only when he was playing off of someone else and when he wasn't with someone else funny - those scenes came across as very flat.
I would casually recommend this movie to anyone looking for some cheap laughs. Its not a must see by any means but its not horrible either.
I couldn't possibly be a bigger fan of Kevin James. I have always loved his stand up stuff and watch King Of Queens religiously in syndication numerous times a day. I couldn't wait to see this movie. Unfortunately, I think I let myself get a little bit too excited. The movie was good and nowhere near horrible, but I expected it to be a lot funnier than it was. The movie was basically one of those that pushes every possible cliche and pushes them as far as humanly possible and gets away from being funny anymore about half way through the movie. Kevin James is his usual hysterical self and the kid that plays his son in the movie was classic. Adam Sandler actually seemed to be the thing holding this movie back. He came across as funny only when he was playing off of someone else and when he wasn't with someone else funny - those scenes came across as very flat.
I would casually recommend this movie to anyone looking for some cheap laughs. Its not a must see by any means but its not horrible either.
Ratatouille
In the new animated-adventure, Ratatouille, a rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great chef despite his family's wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When fate places Remy in the city of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau. Despite the apparent dangers of being an unwanted visitor in the kitchen at one of Paris' most exclusive restaurants, Remy forms an unlikely partnership with Linguini, the garbage boy, who inadvertently discovers Remy's amazing talents. They strike a deal, ultimately setting into motion a hilarious and exciting chain of extraordinary events that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down. Remy finds himself torn between following his dreams or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat. He learns the truth about friendship, family and having no choice but to be who he really is, a rat who wants to be a chef.
I think that its impossible for Pixar to make bad movies. Think about it. Their track record is nothing short of phenomenal. Not to mention that all of their movies are the types of movies that the adults enjoy just as much - if not more than - the kids. I actually think that this one would be one of the ones that the adults like more. It struck me a lot like The Incredibles where I think that if a younger kid (4 - 6 years old) went to see it, that a lot of it would be over their heads. Not to mention that its nearly two hours long. Those two slight knocks being made and out of the way, I loved the movie. The characters were great and the animation of the rat scenes was amazing. The story was so well written that this is one of those animated movies that could end up being talk about as one of the best movies of the year.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking out this movie. Just be forewarned that if you have really little ones - they might get somewhat antsy as the movie goes on - but you will love it.
I think that its impossible for Pixar to make bad movies. Think about it. Their track record is nothing short of phenomenal. Not to mention that all of their movies are the types of movies that the adults enjoy just as much - if not more than - the kids. I actually think that this one would be one of the ones that the adults like more. It struck me a lot like The Incredibles where I think that if a younger kid (4 - 6 years old) went to see it, that a lot of it would be over their heads. Not to mention that its nearly two hours long. Those two slight knocks being made and out of the way, I loved the movie. The characters were great and the animation of the rat scenes was amazing. The story was so well written that this is one of those animated movies that could end up being talk about as one of the best movies of the year.
I very strongly recommend everyone checking out this movie. Just be forewarned that if you have really little ones - they might get somewhat antsy as the movie goes on - but you will love it.
License To Wed
License to Wed follows newly engaged Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and his fiancée, Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore), in their quest to live happily ever after. The problem is that Sadie's family church, St. Augustine's, is run by Reverend Frank (Robin Williams), who won't bless Ben and Sadie's union until they pass his patented, "foolproof" marriage-prep course. Consisting of outrageous classes, outlandish homework assignments and some outright invasion of privacy, Reverend Frank's rigorous curriculum puts Ben and Sadie's relationship to the test. Forget happily ever after—do they even have what it takes to make it to the altar?
This was a cutesy date movie with some pretty good laughs. It's also totally predictable and one of those if you see the commercial - you see the movie type films. Robin Williams is his usual funny one liner type self, but the guy that really makes this movie for me is John Krasinski. Krasinski is best know for his role of Jim on The Office. People, if you are not watching this show on a weekly basis - you truly are missing out on the funniest thing on television. Back to the movie . . . . . he brings the same facial humor from The Office to this film and it really cracks me up. Half of the big laughs were based on the look on his face as he reacts to things. The man is a budding physical comedy genius.
I would recommend people checking this one out. It's not a must see by any means, but it's worth seeing if you want to.
This was a cutesy date movie with some pretty good laughs. It's also totally predictable and one of those if you see the commercial - you see the movie type films. Robin Williams is his usual funny one liner type self, but the guy that really makes this movie for me is John Krasinski. Krasinski is best know for his role of Jim on The Office. People, if you are not watching this show on a weekly basis - you truly are missing out on the funniest thing on television. Back to the movie . . . . . he brings the same facial humor from The Office to this film and it really cracks me up. Half of the big laughs were based on the look on his face as he reacts to things. The man is a budding physical comedy genius.
I would recommend people checking this one out. It's not a must see by any means, but it's worth seeing if you want to.
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.
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 rental.
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 rental.
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.
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.
A Mighty Heart
On January 23, 2002, Mariane Pearl's world changed forever. Her husband Daniel, South Asia bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal, was researching a story on shoe bomber Richard Reid. The story drew them to Karachi where a go-between had promised access to an elusive source. As Danny left for the meeting, he told Mariane he might be late for dinner. He never returned. In the face of death, Danny's spirit of defiance and his unflinching belief in the power of journalism led Mariane to write about his disappearance, the intense effort to find him and his eventual murder in her memoir "A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl." Six months pregnant when the ordeal began, she was carrying a son that Danny hoped to name Adam. She wrote the book to introduce Adam to the father he would never meet. Transcending religion, race and nationality, Mariane's courageous desire to rise above the bitterness and hatred that continues to plague this post 9/11 world, serves as the purest expression of the joy of life she and Danny shared.
This was a very well done movie. Its based on the true story of the reporter that was kidnapped and beheaded on video by terrorists. It may be too soon for some people to watch a movie based on these events. If you are able to handle it, its a good dramatization of a truly horrible experience for those that had to go through this. This is probably Angelina Jolie's best performance (even if her accent was driving me nuts). The supporting characters who were helping her look for the husband and the dead on anxiety/sorrow they were feeling is really what made this movie good. The one big knock against it was that there were numerous parts in the movie where the characters were speaking a foreign language and there were no subtitles so we had no clue what they were saying. Unless I unknowingly did something to my DVD player and turned off the subtitle feature - it makes no sense to not tell us what the people are saying.
I would recommend anyone who is in to true story dramatizations check this one out. Its worth the rental fee.
This was a very well done movie. Its based on the true story of the reporter that was kidnapped and beheaded on video by terrorists. It may be too soon for some people to watch a movie based on these events. If you are able to handle it, its a good dramatization of a truly horrible experience for those that had to go through this. This is probably Angelina Jolie's best performance (even if her accent was driving me nuts). The supporting characters who were helping her look for the husband and the dead on anxiety/sorrow they were feeling is really what made this movie good. The one big knock against it was that there were numerous parts in the movie where the characters were speaking a foreign language and there were no subtitles so we had no clue what they were saying. Unless I unknowingly did something to my DVD player and turned off the subtitle feature - it makes no sense to not tell us what the people are saying.
I would recommend anyone who is in to true story dramatizations check this one out. Its worth the rental fee.
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.
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. Sorry for being completely unable to help.
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. Sorry for being completely unable to help.
Transformers
Our world will be transformed on July 3 when aliens make Earth their final battleground in Transformers. As the forces of evil seek the key to ultimate power, our last chance for survival rests in the hands of young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf).
THIS MOVIE ROCKED!!! Every once and a while a movie comes along that is an "event" movie. By this I mean that you will always remember seeing the movie in theaters and you, as well as everyone else in the theater, are completely awestruck at what you are all experiencing together. My opinion of event movies are Star Wars (the original trilogy), E.T., Jurassic Park and Independence Day. Transformers is right up there with them. I absolutely loved this movie from the second it started. I was skeptical to say the least when I heard that they were making this. I figured it would be the biggest flop of the year due to the massive hype and what not. I started to get a little geeked out for the last two weeks as I started to see the characters that I had toys of when I was younger though, but tried not to get too excited. However, I got that child like buzz feeling when we sat in the theater and it never stopped until the credits were on at the end. The action scenes and special effects were beyond amazing. The characters, both the robots and the humans, were so well developed that you found yourself caring about every one of them. Shia LeBeouf is so the next big thing. I mean this guy is going to be the next Will Smith. The kid simply has "it". On top of all this good stuff - Transformers was also by far and away the funniest movie I've seen all year. The one liners and banter back and forth between certain characters and robots was priceless. I'm going to simply call it now and say that this movie will be the best movie that comes out in 2007. The only knock that I will throw out there is that it's kind of too violent and scary at times for little ones, but ages 7/8 and up should be fine.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. It's one of those movies that will stick with me forever and truly needs to be seen on the big screen, people. If you see one movie this year - make this be the one.
THIS MOVIE ROCKED!!! Every once and a while a movie comes along that is an "event" movie. By this I mean that you will always remember seeing the movie in theaters and you, as well as everyone else in the theater, are completely awestruck at what you are all experiencing together. My opinion of event movies are Star Wars (the original trilogy), E.T., Jurassic Park and Independence Day. Transformers is right up there with them. I absolutely loved this movie from the second it started. I was skeptical to say the least when I heard that they were making this. I figured it would be the biggest flop of the year due to the massive hype and what not. I started to get a little geeked out for the last two weeks as I started to see the characters that I had toys of when I was younger though, but tried not to get too excited. However, I got that child like buzz feeling when we sat in the theater and it never stopped until the credits were on at the end. The action scenes and special effects were beyond amazing. The characters, both the robots and the humans, were so well developed that you found yourself caring about every one of them. Shia LeBeouf is so the next big thing. I mean this guy is going to be the next Will Smith. The kid simply has "it". On top of all this good stuff - Transformers was also by far and away the funniest movie I've seen all year. The one liners and banter back and forth between certain characters and robots was priceless. I'm going to simply call it now and say that this movie will be the best movie that comes out in 2007. The only knock that I will throw out there is that it's kind of too violent and scary at times for little ones, but ages 7/8 and up should be fine.
I couldn't possibly recommend this movie more if I tried. It's one of those movies that will stick with me forever and truly needs to be seen on the big screen, people. If you see one movie this year - make this be the one.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 rental 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 rental for the family.
Fantastic Four: The 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 video store 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 video store so you can enjoy a simple action movie with great effects and some big laughs.
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 horror 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 horror movies like this.
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.
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 characters 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 a level of 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 characters 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 a level of 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.
Bug
A lonely waitress with a tragic past, Agnes rooms in a run-down motel, living in fear of her abusive, recently paroled ex-husband. But when Agnes begins a tentative romance with Peter, an eccentric, nervous drifter, she starts to feel hopeful again - until the first bugs arrive...
I was so psyched to see this movie. The preview looked awesome and bug paranoia has always been one of those mind blowing fears. Unfortunately - this movie was horrible. And when I say horrible I mean that it might truly be one of the worst things I've ever seen. This movie was essentially an hour and 45 minutes of a coked out white trash waitress and a paranoid nutjob talking to each other. If you don't want me to ruin the movie for you, go ahead and skip to the last paragraph. Now that you have been warned . . . . . . . THERE ARE NO F'N BUGS! It's all in their heads . . . . their incredibly annoying heads. I hate that I actually watched this movie to the end telling myself over and over that it would get better. What in the blue hell was Ashley Judd thinking!?!
I would never recommend that anyone check this movie out . . . . . ever. This is seriously one of the worst movies ever.
I was so psyched to see this movie. The preview looked awesome and bug paranoia has always been one of those mind blowing fears. Unfortunately - this movie was horrible. And when I say horrible I mean that it might truly be one of the worst things I've ever seen. This movie was essentially an hour and 45 minutes of a coked out white trash waitress and a paranoid nutjob talking to each other. If you don't want me to ruin the movie for you, go ahead and skip to the last paragraph. Now that you have been warned . . . . . . . THERE ARE NO F'N BUGS! It's all in their heads . . . . their incredibly annoying heads. I hate that I actually watched this movie to the end telling myself over and over that it would get better. What in the blue hell was Ashley Judd thinking!?!
I would never recommend that anyone check this movie out . . . . . ever. This is seriously one of the worst movies ever.
Black Book
Holland 1944 - The final years of the Second World War find the beautiful singer Rachel Stein (Carice Van Houten) taking refuge with the Tsjempkema family in rural Holland. Once a popular and wealthy singer, Rachel has been waiting out the war like many Jews in Europe, separated from her family and a moment away from being caught by the Gestapo. Her temporary safe-house is destroyed by an Allied bomber under fire by a German fighter and Rachel is left in the arms of Rob (Michel Huisman), a sympathetic young boy, who promises to help her to safety. The next morning, Rob takes Rachel to her contact in town, who she hopes will help her find her family and escape across into liberated territory. Rachel's voyage takes off from there as she continuously struggles for survival with numerous allies from both sides of the war.
Just a heads up that I didn't know about until renting this. Its a foreign movie. So, if you don't do subtitles - don't do this movie. That being said - I have a very simple rule of what makes a subtitled movie good or not. Whenever you are enjoying a foreign movie so much that you forget that you are actually reading the words on the screen - its good. This movie was not only a good foreign movie after passing my simple test. It was actually a really great movie. The back and forth storyline keeps you very interested and on your toes because you have no idea what will happen next. The suspense was very well crafted and the performances were great . . . . . even though I have no clue who any of the characters were. It really drives home what those poor people had to go through.
I fully recommend this movie for rental . . . . as long as you can handle foreign movies. WW and I both truly enjoyed it.
Just a heads up that I didn't know about until renting this. Its a foreign movie. So, if you don't do subtitles - don't do this movie. That being said - I have a very simple rule of what makes a subtitled movie good or not. Whenever you are enjoying a foreign movie so much that you forget that you are actually reading the words on the screen - its good. This movie was not only a good foreign movie after passing my simple test. It was actually a really great movie. The back and forth storyline keeps you very interested and on your toes because you have no idea what will happen next. The suspense was very well crafted and the performances were great . . . . . even though I have no clue who any of the characters were. It really drives home what those poor people had to go through.
I fully recommend this movie for rental . . . . as long as you can handle foreign movies. WW and I both truly enjoyed it.
We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall tells an inspiring true story set in Huntington, West Virginia, a small town steeped in the rich tradition of college football. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families have come together to cheer on Marshall University's Thundering Herd. For this team and this community, Marshall football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life. But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntington after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall's football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash. As those left behind struggled to cope with the devastating loss of their loved ones, the grieving families found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall's football program and in the process helped to heal a community.
As I've said previously in some postings - I am a total sucker for a good underdog sports movie. This one definitely landed right on my sweet spot. Add to the fact that it was based on a true story and had great performances by everyone (especially Matthew McConaughey as the quirky head coach) and the fact that the university is where the New York Jets Chad Pennington went to and he gets a shout out at the end of the movie (Sorry, people. My beloved Jets are in the playoff hunt . . . . J . . . . E . . . . . T . . . . . S . . . . JETS JETS JETS!), I give this movie a big thumbs up.
I recommend this movie. It's not a must see, but worth the rental fee if you have the time.
As I've said previously in some postings - I am a total sucker for a good underdog sports movie. This one definitely landed right on my sweet spot. Add to the fact that it was based on a true story and had great performances by everyone (especially Matthew McConaughey as the quirky head coach) and the fact that the university is where the New York Jets Chad Pennington went to and he gets a shout out at the end of the movie (Sorry, people. My beloved Jets are in the playoff hunt . . . . J . . . . E . . . . . T . . . . . S . . . . JETS JETS JETS!), I give this movie a big thumbs up.
I recommend this movie. It's not a must see, but worth the rental fee if you have the time.
Lucky You
In the world of high-stakes poker, Huck Cheever (Eric Bana) is a blaster—a player who goes all out, all the time. But in his personal relationships, Huck plays it tight, expertly avoiding emotional commitments and long-term expectations. When Huck sets out to win the main event of the 2003 World Series of Poker—and the affections of Billie Offer (Drew Barrymore), a young singer from Bakersfield—there is one significant obstacle in his path: his anger toward his father, L.C. Cheever (Robert Duvall), the poker legend who abandoned Huck's mother years ago. As these two rivals progress toward a final showdown at the poker table, Huck learns that to win in the games of life and poker, he must try to play cards the way he has been living his life and live his life the way he has been playing cards.
I'm sure that this movie would have been a lot better if I was interested in poker in any way, shape or form. However, since I'm not this movie pretty much circled the drain most of the time with long, drawn out scenes of playing poker. The other thing that was a bit annoying was that they repeatedly showed you how impulsive Eric Bana's character was. As if the fact that the movie was totally formula just from reading the above synopsis, they could have simply told us that he can't hold on to his money but instead decided to show us over and over and over . . . . . . and over how fast he could lose his World Series Of Poker entrance fee. By the fourth or fifth time I was ready to turn the movie off. It was a pretty disappointing outing from Eric Bana, Robert Duvall and Drew Barrymore.
I wouldn't recommend anyone (outside of the most avid of poker players) checking this one out. Wait for it on cable.
I'm sure that this movie would have been a lot better if I was interested in poker in any way, shape or form. However, since I'm not this movie pretty much circled the drain most of the time with long, drawn out scenes of playing poker. The other thing that was a bit annoying was that they repeatedly showed you how impulsive Eric Bana's character was. As if the fact that the movie was totally formula just from reading the above synopsis, they could have simply told us that he can't hold on to his money but instead decided to show us over and over and over . . . . . . and over how fast he could lose his World Series Of Poker entrance fee. By the fourth or fifth time I was ready to turn the movie off. It was a pretty disappointing outing from Eric Bana, Robert Duvall and Drew Barrymore.
I wouldn't recommend anyone (outside of the most avid of poker players) checking this one out. Wait for it on cable.
Grindhouse: Death Proof
"Grindhouse" – noun – A downtown movie theater - in disrepair since its glory days as a movie palace of the '30s and '40s - known for "grinding out" non-stop double-bill programs of B-movies. From groundbreaking directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez comes the ultimate film experience: a double-bill of thrillers that will recall both filmmakers' favorite exploitation films. Grindhouse will be presented as one full-length feature comprised of two individual films helmed separately by each director. Tarantino's film, Death Proof, is a rip-roaring slasher flick where the killer pursues his victims with a car rather than a knife, while Rodriguez's film explores an alien world eerily familiar to ours in Planet Terror. Welcome to the grind house - it'll tear you in two.
In a ploy to inevitably milk as much money out of the movie enjoying public as possible, the two movies that made up Grindhouse are being released individually on video. This way everyone can buy or rent them seperate and then buy or rent them together when the package that was released in theaters gets put on video shelves over the next year or so I'm sure. Anywho, I didn't check this movie out in theaters because the theater version was over three hours long and even though critics seemed to love it - I just didn't understand the point of this movie ever being made. After seeing one half of Grindhouse, Tarantino's Death Proof, I still have not the slightest clue why this movie was ever made. It's as if Tarantino and Rodriguez (the director of the other half to come out next month - Planet Terror), are stuck in their 13 year old minds where sneaking in to watch B movies was the coolest thing ever and due to their egos being so enormous now (especially Tarantino) and the fact that studios will gladly put anything out there that comes from their directorial talents - something like this gets made. I could see any fan of B movies like this loving them. They did go all out to not only catch the lack of a storyline and really cheesy characters/dialogue, but they also made sure that the quality of the film was that of a B movie played in a crappy theater. There are intentional spots on the screen as if the film is all beat up and there are periodic hiccups in the film as if the movie was crappily edited and what not. As far as the actual "movie" Death Proof, it was basically a set up to two really cool scenes. However, the set up portion was so amazingly brutal that by the time you get to the two cool scenes the payoff doesn't match the time you wasted waiting for it.
I really wouldn't recommend this film to anyone. I really hope that Tarantino will get over himself at some point soon and get back to showcasing his amazing talent instead of his enormous, nerdy ego.
In a ploy to inevitably milk as much money out of the movie enjoying public as possible, the two movies that made up Grindhouse are being released individually on video. This way everyone can buy or rent them seperate and then buy or rent them together when the package that was released in theaters gets put on video shelves over the next year or so I'm sure. Anywho, I didn't check this movie out in theaters because the theater version was over three hours long and even though critics seemed to love it - I just didn't understand the point of this movie ever being made. After seeing one half of Grindhouse, Tarantino's Death Proof, I still have not the slightest clue why this movie was ever made. It's as if Tarantino and Rodriguez (the director of the other half to come out next month - Planet Terror), are stuck in their 13 year old minds where sneaking in to watch B movies was the coolest thing ever and due to their egos being so enormous now (especially Tarantino) and the fact that studios will gladly put anything out there that comes from their directorial talents - something like this gets made. I could see any fan of B movies like this loving them. They did go all out to not only catch the lack of a storyline and really cheesy characters/dialogue, but they also made sure that the quality of the film was that of a B movie played in a crappy theater. There are intentional spots on the screen as if the film is all beat up and there are periodic hiccups in the film as if the movie was crappily edited and what not. As far as the actual "movie" Death Proof, it was basically a set up to two really cool scenes. However, the set up portion was so amazingly brutal that by the time you get to the two cool scenes the payoff doesn't match the time you wasted waiting for it.
I really wouldn't recommend this film to anyone. I really hope that Tarantino will get over himself at some point soon and get back to showcasing his amazing talent instead of his enormous, nerdy ego.
Delta Farce
Delta Farce is a comedy about three blue collar heroes on the military's front line. Down on his luck after losing his job and his girlfriend on the same day, Larry decides to join his neighbor, Bill (Bill Engvall), and his combat-happy buddy, Everett (DJ Qualls), for a relaxing weekend of drinking and target practice. But when the three hapless guys are mistaken for Army Reservists by the hard-nosed Sergeant Kilgrove (Keith David), they're loaded onto an army plane headed for Fallujah, Iraq – and mistakenly ejected in a Humvee somewhere over Mexico. Convinced they're actually in the Middle East, the clueless wannabe soldiers save a rural village from a siege of bandits and become local heroes. But when Carlos Santana (Danny Trejo), a ruthless, karaoke-loving warlord, strikes back, Larry, Bill and Everett have to lay down their beers and take up their arms – and prove they just might be real soldiers after all...
This movie was funnier years ago when Pauly Shore played the same role that Larry The Cable Guy did in this one. It had some occasional laughs, but nowhere near big ones. It was basically these guys doing their Redneck comedy routines as soldiers for a little less than an hour and a half. It really isn't anything to write home about in any way.
I wouldn't recommend anyone rushing out to rent this . . . . or paying to see it in any way. If you happen to be a fan of Engvall or Larry The Cable Guy, wait to see this bad boy on cable. I'm not too sure that you would even like it then.
This movie was funnier years ago when Pauly Shore played the same role that Larry The Cable Guy did in this one. It had some occasional laughs, but nowhere near big ones. It was basically these guys doing their Redneck comedy routines as soldiers for a little less than an hour and a half. It really isn't anything to write home about in any way.
I wouldn't recommend anyone rushing out to rent this . . . . or paying to see it in any way. If you happen to be a fan of Engvall or Larry The Cable Guy, wait to see this bad boy on cable. I'm not too sure that you would even like it then.
Georgia Rule
Rebellious teenager Rachel (Lohan) screams, swears, drinks and is uncontrollable. With her latest car crash, Rachel has broken the final rule in mom Lily's (Huffman) San Francisco home. With nowhere else to take the impulsive and rambunctious girl, Lily hauls her daughter to the one place she swore she'd never return...her own mother's Idaho farm. Matriarch Georgia (Fonda) is not your typical sweet and doting grandmother. She lives her life by a number of unbreakable rules, demanding anyone who shares her home do the same--God comes first and hard work comes a very close second. Now saddled with raising the young woman, it will require each patient breath she takes to understand Rachel's fury. But as Rachel succumbs to her summer of misery and shakes up the tiny Mormon town, Georgia notices something is changing within her granddaughter. Given structure and responsibilities, Rachel is letting her guard down and learning compassion...especially for her mother. Her journey will lead all three women to revelations of buried family secrets and an understanding that the ties that bind can never be broken.
Let me start by saying that I absolutely hate Lindsay Lohan. The only "actress" that I can't stand more than her is Paris Hilton. I watched this movie because I happen to really like Felicity Huffman and the movie had one of those family working things out feel that is usually watchable. The first half of this movie was so hard to watch because it focused almost 100% on Lohan. I felt that hoodwinked by marketing feeling and was extremely close to pulling the plug. However, the second half of the movie had a lot more to do with Huffman and Jane Fonda and ended up being somewhat watchable.
I would lukewarmly recommend people seeing this. It is nowhere near a must see or even a great movie, but it does end up being watchable and you would probably really like it if you a sucker for those family hardship type movies.
Let me start by saying that I absolutely hate Lindsay Lohan. The only "actress" that I can't stand more than her is Paris Hilton. I watched this movie because I happen to really like Felicity Huffman and the movie had one of those family working things out feel that is usually watchable. The first half of this movie was so hard to watch because it focused almost 100% on Lohan. I felt that hoodwinked by marketing feeling and was extremely close to pulling the plug. However, the second half of the movie had a lot more to do with Huffman and Jane Fonda and ended up being somewhat watchable.
I would lukewarmly recommend people seeing this. It is nowhere near a must see or even a great movie, but it does end up being watchable and you would probably really like it if you a sucker for those family hardship type movies.
Kickin It Old Skool
In 1986, a freak break dancing accident put Justin Schumacher in a coma. Now, 20 years later, he (Jamie Kennedy) is waking up to a new world and discovering that the more things change, the more he's stayed the same. With the girl of his dreams (Maria Menounos) engaged to marry his grade-school nemesis (Michael Rosenbaum), and his parents drowning in the debt of his medical costs, Justin must rally his former squad, bust a move, and win back the girl of his dreams.
This is by no means a good movie. It's totally pointless, silly and there was no reason whatsoever for it to have been made. That being said, this movie has some huge laughs for those of you who loved the 80s, are still stuck in the 80s, or find the 80s as hilarious as I do. The dialogue references were hysterical and there were so many things in this movie that remind you of just how embarassing you once were.
For the casual movie renter, I wouldn't remotely recommend this movie. For all you 80s-aholics - AND YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE - this movie is totally worth the rental fee.
This is by no means a good movie. It's totally pointless, silly and there was no reason whatsoever for it to have been made. That being said, this movie has some huge laughs for those of you who loved the 80s, are still stuck in the 80s, or find the 80s as hilarious as I do. The dialogue references were hysterical and there were so many things in this movie that remind you of just how embarassing you once were.
For the casual movie renter, I wouldn't remotely recommend this movie. For all you 80s-aholics - AND YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE - this movie is totally worth the rental fee.
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 long time. Get out there now and rent 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 long time. Get out there now and rent it, people!
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!
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 rental fee.
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 rental fee.
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. It is definitely worth the rental fee.
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. It is definitely worth the rental fee.
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!
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 rent 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 rent it right now!
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 be 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 be just as satisfied as you were with the original.
Unaccompanied Minors
It's Christmas Eve and five kids travelling alone have just been snowed in at the airport. Unaccompanied Minors follows awkward Spencer (Dyllan Christopher), rich-girl Grace (Gina Mantegna), tomboy Donna (Quinn Shephard), geeky Charlie (Tyler James Williams) and bashful Beef (Brett Kelly) as they try to escape a disgruntled airport official (Lewis Black) and reunite with their families. These kids are about to provide themselves with a holiday for the ages.
This is one of those movies that whether or not its good doesn't really matter. It's just a question of whether or not the kids liked it. My future stepchildren and our other adopted daughter loved it. They were laughing out loud throughout the movie so I ended up enjoying it just because of that. It's also finally a good movie that you can take your kids to that doesn't use questionable sexual humor. What is the deal with all of these "family" movies nowadays that you sit through wondering how in the hell things have degraded so much that your 8 year old is laughing at this stuff that you didn't see until you were 17 years old. Anywho, I digress in to a rant (a necessary one!!!) and must get back to the movie.
If you have kids - watch this with them and enjoy laughing at them laughing. It's not necessarily a good movie but it is a good time getting to enjoy moments like that.
This is one of those movies that whether or not its good doesn't really matter. It's just a question of whether or not the kids liked it. My future stepchildren and our other adopted daughter loved it. They were laughing out loud throughout the movie so I ended up enjoying it just because of that. It's also finally a good movie that you can take your kids to that doesn't use questionable sexual humor. What is the deal with all of these "family" movies nowadays that you sit through wondering how in the hell things have degraded so much that your 8 year old is laughing at this stuff that you didn't see until you were 17 years old. Anywho, I digress in to a rant (a necessary one!!!) and must get back to the movie.
If you have kids - watch this with them and enjoy laughing at them laughing. It's not necessarily a good movie but it is a good time getting to enjoy moments like that.
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 go ahead and rent this one. 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 go ahead and rent this one. It's one of those movies that isn't an absolute horror for the adults to sit though as well.
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 rental fee.
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 rental fee.
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.
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 rent 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 rent it right now, people!
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 fully recommend this movie to all. It's very funny and is one of the better movies on rental shelves 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 fully recommend this movie to all. It's very funny and is one of the better movies on rental shelves right now.
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