Documentary
5 stars
Awesome. Must be seen on the big screen. This year’s Disney Earth Day documentary shows magnificent displays of sea creatures big and small; from the amazing natural choreography of massive schools of sardines to the blue whale and even features a brief viewing of the oft ignored narwhal whales (yay!). There is a nice classical music soundtrack and a cool showdown of spider crab armies – though they didn’t really explain what that was all about, it was still cool to watch. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, it can sometimes feel a bit too educational despite the fact that not all species featured are identified. Regardless, I loved it.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Kick-Ass
Action, Comedy
3 stars
Extremely violent for what I thought was a light comedy/action flick. A teenage nerd (Aaron Johnson) decides to become a superhero and inspires others to do the same. Costars – and fellow superheroes - include Nicholas Cage, Chloe Moretz ((500) Days of Summer), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad). The cast is likeable and the storyline is original, quirky and funny. But I didn’t expect such heavy violence from gang members, mobsters, and the superheroes themselves. I thought it was funny, and there were several folks (mostly guys) in the theater who laughed out loud quite a bit. So if you like violent killings and quirky nerds, then you might like this.
3 stars
Extremely violent for what I thought was a light comedy/action flick. A teenage nerd (Aaron Johnson) decides to become a superhero and inspires others to do the same. Costars – and fellow superheroes - include Nicholas Cage, Chloe Moretz ((500) Days of Summer), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad). The cast is likeable and the storyline is original, quirky and funny. But I didn’t expect such heavy violence from gang members, mobsters, and the superheroes themselves. I thought it was funny, and there were several folks (mostly guys) in the theater who laughed out loud quite a bit. So if you like violent killings and quirky nerds, then you might like this.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Ghost Writer
Indie, Intrigue
4 stars
Very good. Roman Polanski’s highly touted film of a man (Ewan McGregor) hired to finish the memoirs of the former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan) after the first ghost writer is found dead. McGregor begins to uncover clues that most likely caused his processor’s death which endanger his own life as well. Olivia Williams (An Education) co-stars as the former First Lady and Kim Cattrall (Sex & The City) plays an assistant. Interesting story filmed on a secluded section of Martha’s Vineyard with plenty of intrigue.
4 stars
Very good. Roman Polanski’s highly touted film of a man (Ewan McGregor) hired to finish the memoirs of the former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan) after the first ghost writer is found dead. McGregor begins to uncover clues that most likely caused his processor’s death which endanger his own life as well. Olivia Williams (An Education) co-stars as the former First Lady and Kim Cattrall (Sex & The City) plays an assistant. Interesting story filmed on a secluded section of Martha’s Vineyard with plenty of intrigue.
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor)
Foriegn, Mystery
4.5 stars
Excellent adaption (and excellent casting) of the best selling book by Stieg Larsson. Swedish with English subtitles. A disgraced journalist is hired by a retired corporate mogul to look into the 40 year old missing person’s case of his favorite niece. The title character is a freelance PI (and also a ward of the state) hired by the same mogul to investigate the journalist’s background who decides to continue investigating on her own. Of course several of the details and clues have been changed to streamline the story. Folks who have not read the book may have trouble keeping track of all the characters, but otherwise, I think it was very well done. Some scenes include violent sexual abuse. Stars Michael Nyqvist as the journalist, Noomi Rapace in the title role, and Sven-Bertil Taube as the mogul. I’m glad I got to see this adaption, before Hollywood (currently casting for its own version) butchers it. Kristen Stewart (very limited range actress) and Carey Mulligan (Oscar nominated for The Education, but probably too delicate for this rebellious role) have been vying for the title character, I’ll be very interested to see who finally lands the role. Very well done.
4.5 stars
Excellent adaption (and excellent casting) of the best selling book by Stieg Larsson. Swedish with English subtitles. A disgraced journalist is hired by a retired corporate mogul to look into the 40 year old missing person’s case of his favorite niece. The title character is a freelance PI (and also a ward of the state) hired by the same mogul to investigate the journalist’s background who decides to continue investigating on her own. Of course several of the details and clues have been changed to streamline the story. Folks who have not read the book may have trouble keeping track of all the characters, but otherwise, I think it was very well done. Some scenes include violent sexual abuse. Stars Michael Nyqvist as the journalist, Noomi Rapace in the title role, and Sven-Bertil Taube as the mogul. I’m glad I got to see this adaption, before Hollywood (currently casting for its own version) butchers it. Kristen Stewart (very limited range actress) and Carey Mulligan (Oscar nominated for The Education, but probably too delicate for this rebellious role) have been vying for the title character, I’ll be very interested to see who finally lands the role. Very well done.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Date Night
Comedy, Action
3.5 stars
Funny. Tina Fey and Steve Carell go out for a night on the town and wind up running for their lives when they are mistaken for another couple. Jimmi Simpson and Common co-star as the bad guys after them. The banter between the two protagonists was the best part for me, well, that and Mark Wahlberg’s pecs… Fun movie for all. There were a handful of swears, but mostly it was the suburban parents just trying to sound tough by saying “effing” rather than using the actual word. I personally thought Hot Tub Time Machine had more laughs, but this one was good too.
3.5 stars
Funny. Tina Fey and Steve Carell go out for a night on the town and wind up running for their lives when they are mistaken for another couple. Jimmi Simpson and Common co-star as the bad guys after them. The banter between the two protagonists was the best part for me, well, that and Mark Wahlberg’s pecs… Fun movie for all. There were a handful of swears, but mostly it was the suburban parents just trying to sound tough by saying “effing” rather than using the actual word. I personally thought Hot Tub Time Machine had more laughs, but this one was good too.
Clash of the Titans
Action, Fantasy
3.5 stars
Fun remake. Sam Worthington (Avatar) stars as Perseus and embarks on great adventures; some taken from Greek Mythology, and some made up by Hollywood. Liam Neeson co-stars as Zeus and Ralph Fiennes as Hades. I never saw the original film, but this one was a fun action adventure with lots of special effects. It makes me want to reread some mythology to remember the original story. Fun adventure.
3.5 stars
Fun remake. Sam Worthington (Avatar) stars as Perseus and embarks on great adventures; some taken from Greek Mythology, and some made up by Hollywood. Liam Neeson co-stars as Zeus and Ralph Fiennes as Hades. I never saw the original film, but this one was a fun action adventure with lots of special effects. It makes me want to reread some mythology to remember the original story. Fun adventure.
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Last Song
Chick Flick, Romance
3.5 stars
Sweet teen love story. Miley Cyrus (I can’t believe I am actually recommending – let alone went to see! – a movie in which she stars) stars as a rebellious teen who finds romance with Liam Hemsworth in this Nicholas Sparks tale. Co-stars include Greg Kinnear as a dad with a secret, Kelly Preston and the cute Bobby Coleman (Post Grad; Martian Child). This is better than and not as sappy as the two previous Sparks films: Dear John and Nights in Rodanthe. Forget March Madness; people should just place bets on which character Nicholas Sparks will kill off in his films :). Only for die-hard romantics (pun not intended – really! - he he he…) and their very patient significant others, and also for tweens who idolize the pop star.
3.5 stars
Sweet teen love story. Miley Cyrus (I can’t believe I am actually recommending – let alone went to see! – a movie in which she stars) stars as a rebellious teen who finds romance with Liam Hemsworth in this Nicholas Sparks tale. Co-stars include Greg Kinnear as a dad with a secret, Kelly Preston and the cute Bobby Coleman (Post Grad; Martian Child). This is better than and not as sappy as the two previous Sparks films: Dear John and Nights in Rodanthe. Forget March Madness; people should just place bets on which character Nicholas Sparks will kill off in his films :). Only for die-hard romantics (pun not intended – really! - he he he…) and their very patient significant others, and also for tweens who idolize the pop star.
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