Comedy
3 stars
Cute movie where Renee Zellweger is sent to small town Minnesota to cut jobs at a local plant. Again, the previews have given away many of - what would have been - some of the funniest scenes. Folks from Minnesota may not like being portrayed as such hokey people with funny accents, but they did seem awfully cute and lovable! Harry Connick Jr. also stars as a predictable love interest, and Siobhan Fallon-Hogan is adorable as Renee’s personal secretary. Cute movie; nothing too deep, just simple fluff.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My Bloody Valentine – 3D
Horror
2 stars
So-So slasher film. I like a good slasher film once in a while, but this one wasn’t it. A miner is rescued from a cave-in and goes on a bloody rampage. The movie wastes no time in creating phony looking carnage but never explains any of the background of the miner and why he went berserk. Jensen Ackles (from the TV show Supernatural) stars as the killer miner’s victim who got away. Men will like the naked chick who romps around fully in the buff for a bit before getting picked off. I’d say go rent the latest Halloween movie that came out in 2007, or Hannibal Rising instead of wasting your money on this one. Hopefully the latest Friday the 13th coming out in February will be better.
2 stars
So-So slasher film. I like a good slasher film once in a while, but this one wasn’t it. A miner is rescued from a cave-in and goes on a bloody rampage. The movie wastes no time in creating phony looking carnage but never explains any of the background of the miner and why he went berserk. Jensen Ackles (from the TV show Supernatural) stars as the killer miner’s victim who got away. Men will like the naked chick who romps around fully in the buff for a bit before getting picked off. I’d say go rent the latest Halloween movie that came out in 2007, or Hannibal Rising instead of wasting your money on this one. Hopefully the latest Friday the 13th coming out in February will be better.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
**Chick Flick Alert**
Yay! Chick Flick Alert!!! I just saw previews for – count them! - TWO new chick flicks, and both of them look like quality chick flicks (not throw away garbage, like Bride Wars or 27 Dresses, or even worse, Made of Honor). First up: Nia Vardalos (from one of the best chick flicks EVER: My Big Fat Greek Wedding !!) will be starring in My Life in Ruins, about a Greek tour guide in -where else?- Greece (Yay!!!) who has man troubles.
The next one is a bit more macabre, starring Amy Adams (Doubt, Enchanted) and Emily Blunt (Devil Wears Prada) and Steve Zahn (You’ve Got Mail, Sahara) in a movie called Sunshine Cleaning. Amy and Emily play two girls in a nowhere small town who find a niche by cleaning up after – eww! - dead bodies (I’ve actually read that this is a lucrative business…). But it looks like a good movie; you’ll have to see the previews!
Oh yeah, I finally saw previews for the next Harry Potter movie too, but it doesn’t come out until July!
The next one is a bit more macabre, starring Amy Adams (Doubt, Enchanted) and Emily Blunt (Devil Wears Prada) and Steve Zahn (You’ve Got Mail, Sahara) in a movie called Sunshine Cleaning. Amy and Emily play two girls in a nowhere small town who find a niche by cleaning up after – eww! - dead bodies (I’ve actually read that this is a lucrative business…). But it looks like a good movie; you’ll have to see the previews!
Oh yeah, I finally saw previews for the next Harry Potter movie too, but it doesn’t come out until July!
Last Chance Harvey
Drama, Romantic
3 stars
Cute movie. Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman play two lonely hearts who meet in London after both have had a really bad day. It is a sweet movie, but there is nothing new or surprising or original. But it is still nice to see a romance involving people a little older than 20 or 30 somethings. Stick around after the closing credits begin; there is one more cute scene - only one, once you've seen it, no need to linger any longer. Good movie.
3 stars
Cute movie. Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman play two lonely hearts who meet in London after both have had a really bad day. It is a sweet movie, but there is nothing new or surprising or original. But it is still nice to see a romance involving people a little older than 20 or 30 somethings. Stick around after the closing credits begin; there is one more cute scene - only one, once you've seen it, no need to linger any longer. Good movie.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Inkheart
Fantasy
3 ½ stars
Fun movie! Dusty old books whispering secrets on the shelves; crumbling medieval towns with a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone passageways; creepy storybook characters that escape the written page and emerge from a dark and stormy night. How cool is that? Brendan Fraser takes his daughter and Helen Mirren on an adventure amongst storybook escapees (Paul Bettany is one). May be too scary for sensitive little ones. If you like this sort of thing, go for it!
3 ½ stars
Fun movie! Dusty old books whispering secrets on the shelves; crumbling medieval towns with a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone passageways; creepy storybook characters that escape the written page and emerge from a dark and stormy night. How cool is that? Brendan Fraser takes his daughter and Helen Mirren on an adventure amongst storybook escapees (Paul Bettany is one). May be too scary for sensitive little ones. If you like this sort of thing, go for it!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Revolutionary Road
Drama, Domestic
4 stars
Excellent movie. Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet (in my opinion, two of the best living actors today) star as a troubled couple stuck in a life they hadn’t planned on. Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) knows how to hit the nail on the head regarding domestic discontent. I have to give a special mention to the small role played by Michael Shannon as a scarily insightful character on furlough from the “funny farm”. He stole every scene he was in. This movie isn’t for everyone - there is a lot of fighting and arguing - but something about it kept me fascinated; you could never be too sure how the movie would turn out. Outstanding performances, excellent movie.
4 stars
Excellent movie. Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet (in my opinion, two of the best living actors today) star as a troubled couple stuck in a life they hadn’t planned on. Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) knows how to hit the nail on the head regarding domestic discontent. I have to give a special mention to the small role played by Michael Shannon as a scarily insightful character on furlough from the “funny farm”. He stole every scene he was in. This movie isn’t for everyone - there is a lot of fighting and arguing - but something about it kept me fascinated; you could never be too sure how the movie would turn out. Outstanding performances, excellent movie.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Reader
Indie – Drama
4 Stars
Very good movie. Ralph Fiennes reflects back on his teen years (David Kross) when he had an illicit affair with a mysterious older women (Kate Winslet). Later on some of her secretive past comes to light. I won’t give away any more, and don’t watch the previews because they give away too much. Kate Winslet is amazing as usual; she deserved the Golden Globe for her performance in this film. Very well done.
4 Stars
Very good movie. Ralph Fiennes reflects back on his teen years (David Kross) when he had an illicit affair with a mysterious older women (Kate Winslet). Later on some of her secretive past comes to light. I won’t give away any more, and don’t watch the previews because they give away too much. Kate Winslet is amazing as usual; she deserved the Golden Globe for her performance in this film. Very well done.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Gran Torino
Drama
5 stars
Excellent movie. I really wasn’t expecting to like this movie, but it surprised me. Clint Eastwood is living in a neighborhood that has evolved into an Asian neighborhood and feuds with the local gangs. But the movie is less about the gangs and more about his relations with the neighbors. He doesn’t mince words and is prejudiced against pretty much every race, creed and color. The movie is surprisingly funny as every ethnic insult is slung; he is like a profane Archie Bunker. Everyone in the theater was laughing. But there are serious situations as well. Just go see it.
5 stars
Excellent movie. I really wasn’t expecting to like this movie, but it surprised me. Clint Eastwood is living in a neighborhood that has evolved into an Asian neighborhood and feuds with the local gangs. But the movie is less about the gangs and more about his relations with the neighbors. He doesn’t mince words and is prejudiced against pretty much every race, creed and color. The movie is surprisingly funny as every ethnic insult is slung; he is like a profane Archie Bunker. Everyone in the theater was laughing. But there are serious situations as well. Just go see it.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Bride Wars
Chick Flick
3 stars
OK movie, but if you saw the previews then you’ve already seen the whole thing. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway as lifelong friends who go to extreme lengths to sabotage each other’s weddings. It was amusing, but the constant previews didn’t leave any surprises except for how it ended (and that wasn’t exactly a surprise). If you are in the need for a chick flick, go for it. Otherwise, wait for the video.
3 stars
OK movie, but if you saw the previews then you’ve already seen the whole thing. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway as lifelong friends who go to extreme lengths to sabotage each other’s weddings. It was amusing, but the constant previews didn’t leave any surprises except for how it ended (and that wasn’t exactly a surprise). If you are in the need for a chick flick, go for it. Otherwise, wait for the video.
Doubt
Drama
3 stars
Good movie, but I’m not saying you should rush out to see it either. Meryl Streep stars as an overzealous nun set on kicking out the school’s priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) for improper conduct with an alter boy – but was it improper? Excellent performances by Streep, Hoffman and Amy Adams, but the movie felt long and the ending felt lame. I’m not sure where this was supposed to take place (I’m afraid it may be Boston) but Streep’s accent sounded more like an exaggerated impersonation of Barbara Walters. The acting will probably get some award nominations, but the movie itself isn’t really worth it. Wait for it to come out on TV.
3 stars
Good movie, but I’m not saying you should rush out to see it either. Meryl Streep stars as an overzealous nun set on kicking out the school’s priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) for improper conduct with an alter boy – but was it improper? Excellent performances by Streep, Hoffman and Amy Adams, but the movie felt long and the ending felt lame. I’m not sure where this was supposed to take place (I’m afraid it may be Boston) but Streep’s accent sounded more like an exaggerated impersonation of Barbara Walters. The acting will probably get some award nominations, but the movie itself isn’t really worth it. Wait for it to come out on TV.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Valkyrie
Drama
4 Stars
Very good movie. Tom Cruise as Col. Stauffenberg, who organized a failed assassination attempt of Hitler. I found the planning and plotting and the number of high level officers involved extremely fascinating. Thankfully, the movie makers assumed the viewers are already acquainted with Hitler’s atrocities and didn’t show any of the torture and savagery of WWII. My only complaint is that all the actors were American and British and they didn’t even attempt to speak with a German accent which I think would have made it feel more authentic. Also, Col. Stauffenberg was missing several fingers on his left hand, yet we saw Cruise use all five to button up his shirt. But these are just picky details – I am a detail oriented person. Very interesting film.
4 Stars
Very good movie. Tom Cruise as Col. Stauffenberg, who organized a failed assassination attempt of Hitler. I found the planning and plotting and the number of high level officers involved extremely fascinating. Thankfully, the movie makers assumed the viewers are already acquainted with Hitler’s atrocities and didn’t show any of the torture and savagery of WWII. My only complaint is that all the actors were American and British and they didn’t even attempt to speak with a German accent which I think would have made it feel more authentic. Also, Col. Stauffenberg was missing several fingers on his left hand, yet we saw Cruise use all five to button up his shirt. But these are just picky details – I am a detail oriented person. Very interesting film.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Drama, Romantic
4 stars
Really good movie. Brad Pitt is born as an old man and ages backwards while the love of his life, Cate Blanchett ages normally. My brother defined it as a “really long chick flick”, but my hair stylist said he loved it so much he didn’t want it to end. I thought it was an excellent movie rich in atmosphere and quirky characters that takes place mostly in New Orleans. I thought whatever special effects/make up they used on Brad Pitt to transform him into a little old man were cool. While this is a love story, I still wouldn’t call it a chick flick. Just a long saga that spans about 80 years and Brad Pitt’s journey in a backwards life. I really enjoyed it.
4 stars
Really good movie. Brad Pitt is born as an old man and ages backwards while the love of his life, Cate Blanchett ages normally. My brother defined it as a “really long chick flick”, but my hair stylist said he loved it so much he didn’t want it to end. I thought it was an excellent movie rich in atmosphere and quirky characters that takes place mostly in New Orleans. I thought whatever special effects/make up they used on Brad Pitt to transform him into a little old man were cool. While this is a love story, I still wouldn’t call it a chick flick. Just a long saga that spans about 80 years and Brad Pitt’s journey in a backwards life. I really enjoyed it.
Marley & Me
Marley & Me
Comedy/Drama
3 ½ stars
Good movie about a bad dog. I liked the book better, but who can resist all those cute puppies? There were a couple of poignant moments in the book where Marley rose to the occasion but though they were included in the movie, those scenes didn’t resonate well on the big screen. This was a cute movie and I did cry at the end, but I think Owen Wilson should have too, darn it! Jennifer Aniston and Eric Dane also co-star. Good movie.
Comedy/Drama
3 ½ stars
Good movie about a bad dog. I liked the book better, but who can resist all those cute puppies? There were a couple of poignant moments in the book where Marley rose to the occasion but though they were included in the movie, those scenes didn’t resonate well on the big screen. This was a cute movie and I did cry at the end, but I think Owen Wilson should have too, darn it! Jennifer Aniston and Eric Dane also co-star. Good movie.
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