Musical
4 stars
Very sexy. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as a tormented film director with a complicated love life who is hounded by the paparazzi and is about to begin filming a movie for which he has not written a script. He is just plain stressed out and needs a break. Full of sexy song and dance routines by all of the different (scantily clad) women in his life. Judy Dench, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, and Sofia Loren all co-star. I loved the music and imagery and the scenic views of my favorite country, Italy. Great musical.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
It’s Complicated
Chick Flick, Comedy
4 stars
Fun movie. Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin star as a long divorced couple who reignite the flame. Steve Martin co-stars as a hopeful suitor and Lake Bell plays Baldwin’s young trophy wife. Very enjoyable film, I laughed out loud with the pot-smoking scenes. But when I learned this film was nominated for several Golden Globes, including Best Picture, I have to ask “Really??”. It’s a fun but insignificant movie. A Best Picture nominee should make you run through the range of emotions or have an important message or simply be a masterpiece. As I said, this is simply a fun movie.
4 stars
Fun movie. Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin star as a long divorced couple who reignite the flame. Steve Martin co-stars as a hopeful suitor and Lake Bell plays Baldwin’s young trophy wife. Very enjoyable film, I laughed out loud with the pot-smoking scenes. But when I learned this film was nominated for several Golden Globes, including Best Picture, I have to ask “Really??”. It’s a fun but insignificant movie. A Best Picture nominee should make you run through the range of emotions or have an important message or simply be a masterpiece. As I said, this is simply a fun movie.
Avatar: 3D
Fantasy
4 stars
Good movie. The humans of planet earth want to relocate, or simply kill, the large Day-Glo blue people (called the NaVi) of planet Pandora to plunder its natural resources. By using a futuristic combination of genetics and technology, the humans create their own giant blue folks and control them remotely, hoping to infiltrate the blue tribes and peacefully make them relocate. It’s a good movie but I have to address all the hype: if you try to compare Avatar with other special effects heavy fantasies like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Narnia, I’m afraid it doesn’t hold a candle in neither special effects nor originality. I enjoyed the flying scenes with the giant blue pterodactyl-like dragon birds. I liked the story of the marine (Sam Worthington) falling for the blue NaVi girl (Zoe Saldana). Co-stars include Stephen Lang as the colonel in charge of Operation Avatar and Sigourney Weaver as a research scientist. My eyes did get a bit tired of all the Day-Glo blues and greens. Like I said, a good movie, but not worthy of all the hype.
4 stars
Good movie. The humans of planet earth want to relocate, or simply kill, the large Day-Glo blue people (called the NaVi) of planet Pandora to plunder its natural resources. By using a futuristic combination of genetics and technology, the humans create their own giant blue folks and control them remotely, hoping to infiltrate the blue tribes and peacefully make them relocate. It’s a good movie but I have to address all the hype: if you try to compare Avatar with other special effects heavy fantasies like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Narnia, I’m afraid it doesn’t hold a candle in neither special effects nor originality. I enjoyed the flying scenes with the giant blue pterodactyl-like dragon birds. I liked the story of the marine (Sam Worthington) falling for the blue NaVi girl (Zoe Saldana). Co-stars include Stephen Lang as the colonel in charge of Operation Avatar and Sigourney Weaver as a research scientist. My eyes did get a bit tired of all the Day-Glo blues and greens. Like I said, a good movie, but not worthy of all the hype.
Young Victoria
Period
4.5 stars
Loved it. Emily Blunt (Sunshine Cleaning and Devil Wears Prada) stars as Queen Victoria both before and after inheriting the crown. This film portrays the pressures put on her from all sides as everyone wants to control both her and England. Then the film transforms into a romantic love story as she finally trusts and gives herself to Prince Albert (Rupert Friend of Cheri). Excellent; never staid or boring, and I love all the sumptuous costuming. Plus, I’m always a sucker for a good romance.
4.5 stars
Loved it. Emily Blunt (Sunshine Cleaning and Devil Wears Prada) stars as Queen Victoria both before and after inheriting the crown. This film portrays the pressures put on her from all sides as everyone wants to control both her and England. Then the film transforms into a romantic love story as she finally trusts and gives herself to Prince Albert (Rupert Friend of Cheri). Excellent; never staid or boring, and I love all the sumptuous costuming. Plus, I’m always a sucker for a good romance.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Invictus
4 stars
Drama
Very good movie about Nelson Mandela inspiring the South African rugby team captain, Francois Pienaar, to win the World Cup. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon star. The title is the name of a poem that helped Mandela get through his 27 years in prison. I really liked this movie, but I have to report three complaints. 1) I sometimes had trouble deciphering the accents and missed some dialogue. 2) They make no real attempt to explain how the rugby works, and they spend quite a bit of time reenacting the World Cup game and I had no idea what was going on. By comparison, I don’t understand football either, but had no problem understanding the parts of the game conveyed in several popular football movies. 3) While we see how Mandela inspired Pienaar, we don’t really see how Pienaar inspired his reluctant team to mature from one of the worst teams in rugby to become World Cup Champions. But still, it was an excellent movie.
Drama
Very good movie about Nelson Mandela inspiring the South African rugby team captain, Francois Pienaar, to win the World Cup. Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon star. The title is the name of a poem that helped Mandela get through his 27 years in prison. I really liked this movie, but I have to report three complaints. 1) I sometimes had trouble deciphering the accents and missed some dialogue. 2) They make no real attempt to explain how the rugby works, and they spend quite a bit of time reenacting the World Cup game and I had no idea what was going on. By comparison, I don’t understand football either, but had no problem understanding the parts of the game conveyed in several popular football movies. 3) While we see how Mandela inspired Pienaar, we don’t really see how Pienaar inspired his reluctant team to mature from one of the worst teams in rugby to become World Cup Champions. But still, it was an excellent movie.
Armored
2.5 stars
Drama, Crime
Overdone film about a motley bunch of armored truck drivers who plan a heist that goes awry. The music builds as if there is great drama while they are simply driving down the street. Kinda silly. But it does get suspenseful once things actually do go wrong. Matt Dillon, Lawrence Fishburne and Jean Reno are among the crooks in this film. Columbus Short (Cadillac Records, This Christmas) plays the sole good guy. I was satisfied with the ending, but don’t rush out to see this one either – wait for cable.
Drama, Crime
Overdone film about a motley bunch of armored truck drivers who plan a heist that goes awry. The music builds as if there is great drama while they are simply driving down the street. Kinda silly. But it does get suspenseful once things actually do go wrong. Matt Dillon, Lawrence Fishburne and Jean Reno are among the crooks in this film. Columbus Short (Cadillac Records, This Christmas) plays the sole good guy. I was satisfied with the ending, but don’t rush out to see this one either – wait for cable.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Princess and the Frog
Family, Animated
4 stars
Loved it. The title is a little misleading about the “princess”, as the heroine is actually a waitress, but it’s Disney, so of course magical things are to come. Anyway, the waitress kisses the frog and becomes a frog herself and the two go on an adventure through New Orleans and the bayou both seeking and running from the Voodoo magic that made them frogs. I loved the fat alligator who plays a mean trumpet. I loved the mystique of New Orleans, and the creepy Voodoo witch doctor and the jazz music. I just loved this film!
4 stars
Loved it. The title is a little misleading about the “princess”, as the heroine is actually a waitress, but it’s Disney, so of course magical things are to come. Anyway, the waitress kisses the frog and becomes a frog herself and the two go on an adventure through New Orleans and the bayou both seeking and running from the Voodoo magic that made them frogs. I loved the fat alligator who plays a mean trumpet. I loved the mystique of New Orleans, and the creepy Voodoo witch doctor and the jazz music. I just loved this film!
Everyone’s Fine
Drama
4 stars
Good movie, albeit a little sad, as Robert De Niro travels around the country to visit his kids who are all obviously hiding something from him. Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Same Rockwell co-star as three of his kids. I got a little mad at the “kids” who felt they had to hide a major development in the family from their Dad. Still, it was an excellent movie.
4 stars
Good movie, albeit a little sad, as Robert De Niro travels around the country to visit his kids who are all obviously hiding something from him. Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Same Rockwell co-star as three of his kids. I got a little mad at the “kids” who felt they had to hide a major development in the family from their Dad. Still, it was an excellent movie.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
3.5 stars
Family, Animated
A cute Stop Action Animation film about a sly fox (George Clooney) who can’t help but steal from some mean local farmers. I liked it, but again, I don’t think it’s some major masterpiece as some critics have been making it out to be. Because this film is spoken in adult voices with adult conversations, I think some younger ADHD kids would get bored. Still, it’s a cute movie and I know a certain Wallace & Gromit fan who I think would like this one too.
Family, Animated
A cute Stop Action Animation film about a sly fox (George Clooney) who can’t help but steal from some mean local farmers. I liked it, but again, I don’t think it’s some major masterpiece as some critics have been making it out to be. Because this film is spoken in adult voices with adult conversations, I think some younger ADHD kids would get bored. Still, it’s a cute movie and I know a certain Wallace & Gromit fan who I think would like this one too.
Brothers
Drama
5 stars
Intense drama about a war vet (Tobey Maguire, who is absolutely terrifying) who comes home after a horrific experience in Afghanistan and tries to readjust to life with his wife (Natalie Portman), whom he suspects has been sleeping with his brother (Jake Gyllenhaal). Wow. I thought the acting was great – even the little girl Isabelle (Bailee Madison of Bridge to Terabitia) could emote some serious tension – and you experience the full range of emotions, from laughter to sadness to fear. You also can’t help but think of the psychological damage the real vets are suffering. Outstanding movie, I am giving it my highest rating (which I am very stingy with).
5 stars
Intense drama about a war vet (Tobey Maguire, who is absolutely terrifying) who comes home after a horrific experience in Afghanistan and tries to readjust to life with his wife (Natalie Portman), whom he suspects has been sleeping with his brother (Jake Gyllenhaal). Wow. I thought the acting was great – even the little girl Isabelle (Bailee Madison of Bridge to Terabitia) could emote some serious tension – and you experience the full range of emotions, from laughter to sadness to fear. You also can’t help but think of the psychological damage the real vets are suffering. Outstanding movie, I am giving it my highest rating (which I am very stingy with).
Up In The Air
Drama
3.5-4 stars
Good movie, but I wouldn’t go as far as the other critics by saying it’s this amazing film. George Clooney (with his bedroom eyes as twinkly as ever) plays a confirmed bachelor who loves his solitary lifestyle of flying around the country, staying in mediocre hotels, never staying anywhere long enough to make any real ties, and oh, firing people for a living. This film is pretty somber as Clooney begins to re-evaluate his life, and watching all these folks get the sack is pretty sad to watch. I’ve read that some of the folks losing their jobs are real people, not actors, who actually have lost their jobs. Anna Kendrick (Twilight series) and Jason Bateman costar. There are a few laughs, but mostly this movie made me feel sad and depressed.
3.5-4 stars
Good movie, but I wouldn’t go as far as the other critics by saying it’s this amazing film. George Clooney (with his bedroom eyes as twinkly as ever) plays a confirmed bachelor who loves his solitary lifestyle of flying around the country, staying in mediocre hotels, never staying anywhere long enough to make any real ties, and oh, firing people for a living. This film is pretty somber as Clooney begins to re-evaluate his life, and watching all these folks get the sack is pretty sad to watch. I’ve read that some of the folks losing their jobs are real people, not actors, who actually have lost their jobs. Anna Kendrick (Twilight series) and Jason Bateman costar. There are a few laughs, but mostly this movie made me feel sad and depressed.
Armored
2.5 stars
Drama, Crime
Overdone film about a motley bunch of armored truck drivers who plan a heist that goes awry. The music builds as if there is great drama while they are simply driving down the street. Kinda silly. But it does get suspenseful once things actually do go wrong. Matt Dillon, Lawrence Fishburne and Jean Reno are among the crooks in this film. I was satisfied with the ending, but don’t rush out to see this one either – wait for cable.
Drama, Crime
Overdone film about a motley bunch of armored truck drivers who plan a heist that goes awry. The music builds as if there is great drama while they are simply driving down the street. Kinda silly. But it does get suspenseful once things actually do go wrong. Matt Dillon, Lawrence Fishburne and Jean Reno are among the crooks in this film. I was satisfied with the ending, but don’t rush out to see this one either – wait for cable.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Old Dogs
Comedy
1.5 stars
Embarrassingly bad. The only thing that saved this film from only a 1 star rating is the fact that I gave Bruno 1 star and nothing is as bad as that movie! John Travolta and Robin Williams finally got the multimillion dollar contract they had been dreaming about (I don’t even remember what business they are in) with the Japanese company, when Williams learns he had fathered twins years ago in an ill-fated relationship and must now babysit them for two weeks while trying to impress his new Japanese clients. Clichéd, over-acted and just plain dumb. Only young boys will enjoy this sort of poop and fart humor – just drop them off at the theater, don’t subject yourselves to this groan-worthy film.
1.5 stars
Embarrassingly bad. The only thing that saved this film from only a 1 star rating is the fact that I gave Bruno 1 star and nothing is as bad as that movie! John Travolta and Robin Williams finally got the multimillion dollar contract they had been dreaming about (I don’t even remember what business they are in) with the Japanese company, when Williams learns he had fathered twins years ago in an ill-fated relationship and must now babysit them for two weeks while trying to impress his new Japanese clients. Clichéd, over-acted and just plain dumb. Only young boys will enjoy this sort of poop and fart humor – just drop them off at the theater, don’t subject yourselves to this groan-worthy film.
Coco Before Chanel
Indie, Drama
3.5 stars
Good movie about Coco Chanel’s life before she became a fashion maven. Her early years were by no means glamorous - in fact I lost a bit of respect for her - but I guess back then, you had to do what you had to do. Audrey Tautou (Amelie, Da Vinci Code) stars as Chanel. Very good film.
3.5 stars
Good movie about Coco Chanel’s life before she became a fashion maven. Her early years were by no means glamorous - in fact I lost a bit of respect for her - but I guess back then, you had to do what you had to do. Audrey Tautou (Amelie, Da Vinci Code) stars as Chanel. Very good film.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Blind Side
Drama, True Story
4 stars
Heartwarming true story of pro-football player Michael Oher who was taken in from the streets by an affluent family (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw). Quinton Aaron stars as Oher and Jae Head is adorable as the little boy who befriended him. Jim and I both really enjoyed this story –though we were left wondering what happened to Oher’s father figure who originally got him admitted into the private school. There were plenty of little kids there who seemed to enjoy it as well. Good movie.
4 stars
Heartwarming true story of pro-football player Michael Oher who was taken in from the streets by an affluent family (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw). Quinton Aaron stars as Oher and Jae Head is adorable as the little boy who befriended him. Jim and I both really enjoyed this story –though we were left wondering what happened to Oher’s father figure who originally got him admitted into the private school. There were plenty of little kids there who seemed to enjoy it as well. Good movie.
An Education
Indie, Drama
4 stars
Excellent movie about a bright 16 year old school girl destined for Oxford (Carey Mulligan) who becomes seduced by the glamorous life introduced to her by a much older man (Peter Sarsgaard) and his friends Dominic Cooper (Mama Mia) and Rosamund Pike. Yes, it becomes quite an education indeed. Alfred Molina (Chocolat) and Cara Seymour play Mulligan’s oppressive parents. Excellent movie.
4 stars
Excellent movie about a bright 16 year old school girl destined for Oxford (Carey Mulligan) who becomes seduced by the glamorous life introduced to her by a much older man (Peter Sarsgaard) and his friends Dominic Cooper (Mama Mia) and Rosamund Pike. Yes, it becomes quite an education indeed. Alfred Molina (Chocolat) and Cara Seymour play Mulligan’s oppressive parents. Excellent movie.
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