Chick Flick
3.5 stars
Fun chick flick. Carrie and the girls take off for Abu Dhabi, and I have to say, I like them better in the city. As compared to the first movie, there’s no major crisis’s here and no sweet but wise Jennifer Hudson. Instead, there is a very bouncy braless nanny (Alice Eve – She’s Out of My League) that all the men in the audience will appreciate, and a hilariously over the top wedding. Then the movie goes a little downhill when girls go to the Middle East and Samantha breaks all the modesty rules. Instead of enjoying all their indulgences, I found myself stressing over all the cleavage and legs they were flaunting in such a conservative country. The fashion was hit or miss, in fact some of it was embarrassingly awful - and I thought Carrie’s head-piece at her ill-fated wedding was bad! I was very happy to see Samantha back as her old horny self though. It’s still an above-average chick flick, but just not as fun or as moving as the first one.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Kites
Foreign, Romance/Action
2.5 stars
Had great potential, but disappointed. A handsome Las Vegas local and a beautiful, but illegal, Mexican immigrant get mixed up with a powerful mafia-type Indian family in Las Vegas and go on the run. Spoken in a mix of Spanish, Hindi and English with subtitles, at first I thought this was a Mexican film, but it’s actually an Indian-made film that takes place in the US and Mexico. There’s a mix of romance, action, adventure, double-cross, mafia-type violence and parts of it felt like a music video(!). The lovers on the run felt like a rip-off of Thelma & Louise’s road trip. I still could have forgiven these gaffes, except some scenes were terribly over-dramatic – especially the ending. On the bright side, the lovers were very easy on the eyes (Barbara Mori and Hrithik Roshan). Unless you’re the type of person who enjoys a strange mix of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Thelma & Louise and Goodfellas, I can’t recommend this film.
2.5 stars
Had great potential, but disappointed. A handsome Las Vegas local and a beautiful, but illegal, Mexican immigrant get mixed up with a powerful mafia-type Indian family in Las Vegas and go on the run. Spoken in a mix of Spanish, Hindi and English with subtitles, at first I thought this was a Mexican film, but it’s actually an Indian-made film that takes place in the US and Mexico. There’s a mix of romance, action, adventure, double-cross, mafia-type violence and parts of it felt like a music video(!). The lovers on the run felt like a rip-off of Thelma & Louise’s road trip. I still could have forgiven these gaffes, except some scenes were terribly over-dramatic – especially the ending. On the bright side, the lovers were very easy on the eyes (Barbara Mori and Hrithik Roshan). Unless you’re the type of person who enjoys a strange mix of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Thelma & Louise and Goodfellas, I can’t recommend this film.
Monday, May 24, 2010
MacGruber
Comedy, Action
2.5 stars
Mildly amusing, but not that great. MacGruber, played by Will Forte, is given a chance to go up against his arch nemesis “Cunth”, played by Val Kilmer. Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe co-star. This full length Saturday Night Live parody of the MacGyver series had great ambition, but was disappointing. Too much lewd humor and bad jokes. Wait for cable, and dumb yourself down with a few drinks before viewing.
2.5 stars
Mildly amusing, but not that great. MacGruber, played by Will Forte, is given a chance to go up against his arch nemesis “Cunth”, played by Val Kilmer. Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe co-star. This full length Saturday Night Live parody of the MacGyver series had great ambition, but was disappointing. Too much lewd humor and bad jokes. Wait for cable, and dumb yourself down with a few drinks before viewing.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Shrek Forever After
Family, Animated
4 stars
Loved it. Shrek makes a deal with the evil magician Rumpelstiltskin to spend one day back in his swamp, before the days of meeting Fiona, Donkey, Puss, and the rest. Unfortunately, he didn’t read the fine print on the contract and things aren’t the way he imagined. Though not as good as the first Shrek movie, it’s still an enjoyable ride with a moral for the kids. Usual voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and newcomer Walt Dohrn as Rumpelstiltskin. Cute movie.
4 stars
Loved it. Shrek makes a deal with the evil magician Rumpelstiltskin to spend one day back in his swamp, before the days of meeting Fiona, Donkey, Puss, and the rest. Unfortunately, he didn’t read the fine print on the contract and things aren’t the way he imagined. Though not as good as the first Shrek movie, it’s still an enjoyable ride with a moral for the kids. Usual voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and newcomer Walt Dohrn as Rumpelstiltskin. Cute movie.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Just Wright
Chick Flick, Romance
3.5 stars
Sweet romance. The always lovable Queen Latifah stars as a physical therapist who meets a handsome star basketball player (Common) only to watch him fall for her gold-digger “God sister” Paula Patton (Precious). You know how it ends. It’s always fun to watch Queen Latifah play the sweet sensible woman that everyone likes. I liked it, as only a chick-flick loving romantic can.
3.5 stars
Sweet romance. The always lovable Queen Latifah stars as a physical therapist who meets a handsome star basketball player (Common) only to watch him fall for her gold-digger “God sister” Paula Patton (Precious). You know how it ends. It’s always fun to watch Queen Latifah play the sweet sensible woman that everyone likes. I liked it, as only a chick-flick loving romantic can.
Letters to Juliet
Chick Flick
3.5 stars
LOVED IT, despite the sugar coated ending. Amanda Seyfried (Mama Mia, Dear John) travels through gorgeous Italy to help Vanessa Redgrave find her long lost love who she hasn’t seen since she was 15 years old. Along for the ride is Redgrave’s handsome but uptight grandson, played by Chris Egan. Despite Seyfrieds’ engagement to the handsome but absentee fiancée Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Motorcycle Diaries) romantic tensions ensue. Even though the previews gave away way too much of the story, I loved it. I loved the romantic tension, Redgrave’s hopeful romantic eyes, and the gorgeous scenery from the cypress trees and rolling vineyards to the cobblestone streets and ancient stone architecture of my favorite country. Yes the ending is too sugary and contrived, but it’s a chick flick so who cares? I loved it!
3.5 stars
LOVED IT, despite the sugar coated ending. Amanda Seyfried (Mama Mia, Dear John) travels through gorgeous Italy to help Vanessa Redgrave find her long lost love who she hasn’t seen since she was 15 years old. Along for the ride is Redgrave’s handsome but uptight grandson, played by Chris Egan. Despite Seyfrieds’ engagement to the handsome but absentee fiancée Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Motorcycle Diaries) romantic tensions ensue. Even though the previews gave away way too much of the story, I loved it. I loved the romantic tension, Redgrave’s hopeful romantic eyes, and the gorgeous scenery from the cypress trees and rolling vineyards to the cobblestone streets and ancient stone architecture of my favorite country. Yes the ending is too sugary and contrived, but it’s a chick flick so who cares? I loved it!
Robin Hood
Action
3.5 stars
Definitely a guy film filled with battle scenes and back stabbing. This version of Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe tries to give it a more historical approach and attempts to trace the origins of Robin and why he became who he is. An interesting tactic, but there’s no romance with the hardened Maid Marion (Cate Blanchett) and not enough of jolly Friar Tuck. Mostly, it’s battles, sword fights, bow and arrow shooting, terrorized villagers, a conniving King John (Oscar Isaac of The Nativity Story) and his betrayer Godfrey (Mark Strong of Sherlock Holmes who bears a striking resemblance to Stanley Tucci) . Needless to say, Jim loved it, but I wasn’t all that excited about it.
3.5 stars
Definitely a guy film filled with battle scenes and back stabbing. This version of Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe tries to give it a more historical approach and attempts to trace the origins of Robin and why he became who he is. An interesting tactic, but there’s no romance with the hardened Maid Marion (Cate Blanchett) and not enough of jolly Friar Tuck. Mostly, it’s battles, sword fights, bow and arrow shooting, terrorized villagers, a conniving King John (Oscar Isaac of The Nativity Story) and his betrayer Godfrey (Mark Strong of Sherlock Holmes who bears a striking resemblance to Stanley Tucci) . Needless to say, Jim loved it, but I wasn’t all that excited about it.
Friday, May 14, 2010
City Island
Indie, Dry Comedy
4.5 stars
Loved it. Andy Garcia stars as the dad of a dysfunctional family where everyone keeps big secrets from one another. Garcia works as a prison guard and learns one of the inmates reaching the end of his incarceration is actually his illegitimate son whom he never met (Steven Strait). More lies ensue which result in comedic predicaments for all. Juliana Margulies stars as Garcia’s wife, Emily Mortimer plays a friend, and my favorite character is the teenage son with a fetish, Ezra Miller (“Royal Pains” and “Californication”). This film was actually released in 2009 and has been kicking around the theaters for some time now. I really liked it.
4.5 stars
Loved it. Andy Garcia stars as the dad of a dysfunctional family where everyone keeps big secrets from one another. Garcia works as a prison guard and learns one of the inmates reaching the end of his incarceration is actually his illegitimate son whom he never met (Steven Strait). More lies ensue which result in comedic predicaments for all. Juliana Margulies stars as Garcia’s wife, Emily Mortimer plays a friend, and my favorite character is the teenage son with a fetish, Ezra Miller (“Royal Pains” and “Californication”). This film was actually released in 2009 and has been kicking around the theaters for some time now. I really liked it.
Iron Man 2
Action
4 stars
Fun, guilty pleasure. Robert Downey Jr. is back as the egotistical Tony Stark. There are several story lines such as Mickey Rourke playing a Russian wanting revenge (the cause of his anger is explained really fast in about two sentences, so if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss it), the government wants Stark’s technology, a competing company run by Sam Rockwell also wants the technology for lucrative government contracts, Tony’s having health issues and Scarlett Johansson kicks butt. All the story lines are explained really fast as if they don’t matter, because after all, the whole point is to watch all the action and special effects. Gwyneth Paltrow also co-stars. Fun!
4 stars
Fun, guilty pleasure. Robert Downey Jr. is back as the egotistical Tony Stark. There are several story lines such as Mickey Rourke playing a Russian wanting revenge (the cause of his anger is explained really fast in about two sentences, so if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss it), the government wants Stark’s technology, a competing company run by Sam Rockwell also wants the technology for lucrative government contracts, Tony’s having health issues and Scarlett Johansson kicks butt. All the story lines are explained really fast as if they don’t matter, because after all, the whole point is to watch all the action and special effects. Gwyneth Paltrow also co-stars. Fun!
Babies
Documentary
4.5 stars
Very cute. As the title suggests, it’s about babies, from birth, to breast feeding, to learning, to taking their first steps. No dialogue, no narration, this is filmed in same the vein as nature documentaries. We follow the development of four babies from Mongolia, Africa, Japan and San Francisco. Very cute to see the wonder in their eyes, though it’s kinda sad to see the African baby face down in the dirt, teething on rocks and twigs, but c’est la vie. Kids would probably get bored and possibly giggly with all the bare boobs. Good movie.
4.5 stars
Very cute. As the title suggests, it’s about babies, from birth, to breast feeding, to learning, to taking their first steps. No dialogue, no narration, this is filmed in same the vein as nature documentaries. We follow the development of four babies from Mongolia, Africa, Japan and San Francisco. Very cute to see the wonder in their eyes, though it’s kinda sad to see the African baby face down in the dirt, teething on rocks and twigs, but c’est la vie. Kids would probably get bored and possibly giggly with all the bare boobs. Good movie.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Secret in Their Eyes
Foreign, Mystery
5 stars
Excellent and poignant. Argentinean with English subtitles and the 2009 Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Film. A retired court employee who is haunted by the case of a murder and rape victim in 1974, begins to write a book about it and tries to tie up some loose ends by reconnecting with his former boss. Brilliant portrayal of how so many lives are forever altered by the domino effect created by this terrible, violent act. Some brief nudity and profanity, but nothing significant. Stars Ricardo Darín as the main protagonist, Soledad Villamil plays his beautiful former boss and Guillermo Francella plays his underling with an alcohol addiction. The best movie in theaters right now – just go see it!
5 stars
Excellent and poignant. Argentinean with English subtitles and the 2009 Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Film. A retired court employee who is haunted by the case of a murder and rape victim in 1974, begins to write a book about it and tries to tie up some loose ends by reconnecting with his former boss. Brilliant portrayal of how so many lives are forever altered by the domino effect created by this terrible, violent act. Some brief nudity and profanity, but nothing significant. Stars Ricardo Darín as the main protagonist, Soledad Villamil plays his beautiful former boss and Guillermo Francella plays his underling with an alcohol addiction. The best movie in theaters right now – just go see it!
City Island
Indie, Dry Comedy
4.5 stars
Loved it. Andy Garcia stars as the dad of a dysfunctional family where everyone keeps big secrets from one another. Garcia works as a prison guard and learns one of the inmates reaching the end of his incarceration is actually his illegitimate son whom he never met (Steven Strait). More lies ensue which result in comedic predicaments for all. Juliana Margulies stars as Garcia’s wife, Emily Mortimer plays a friend, and my favorite character is the teenage son with a fetish, Ezra Miller (“Royal Pains” and “Californication”). This film was actually released in 2009 and has been kicking around the theaters for some time now. I really liked it.
4.5 stars
Loved it. Andy Garcia stars as the dad of a dysfunctional family where everyone keeps big secrets from one another. Garcia works as a prison guard and learns one of the inmates reaching the end of his incarceration is actually his illegitimate son whom he never met (Steven Strait). More lies ensue which result in comedic predicaments for all. Juliana Margulies stars as Garcia’s wife, Emily Mortimer plays a friend, and my favorite character is the teenage son with a fetish, Ezra Miller (“Royal Pains” and “Californication”). This film was actually released in 2009 and has been kicking around the theaters for some time now. I really liked it.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Losers
Action
2.5 stars
Total guy flick that is left wide open for a sequel. A group of commandos go rogue after defying corrupt orders and learning they were meant to be killed off. Stars include Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Zoe Saldana (Star Trek and Avatar), and Idris Elba (Obsessed) among others. What’s with the “macho strut” they do in all the guy action movies? You know, when all the tough guys are ready for battle, so they all walk shoulder to shoulder, always in slow motion, towards the camera? From now on, I’m gonna call it the “macho strut” and they make full use of it in this flick. Some of the violence is almost comical; fitting, since this movie is inspired from a comic book series. Anyway, guys who love seeing things get blown up, with extra doses of sweat sprayed on the actors, and of course a vampy chick added to the mix, should like this film.
2.5 stars
Total guy flick that is left wide open for a sequel. A group of commandos go rogue after defying corrupt orders and learning they were meant to be killed off. Stars include Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Zoe Saldana (Star Trek and Avatar), and Idris Elba (Obsessed) among others. What’s with the “macho strut” they do in all the guy action movies? You know, when all the tough guys are ready for battle, so they all walk shoulder to shoulder, always in slow motion, towards the camera? From now on, I’m gonna call it the “macho strut” and they make full use of it in this flick. Some of the violence is almost comical; fitting, since this movie is inspired from a comic book series. Anyway, guys who love seeing things get blown up, with extra doses of sweat sprayed on the actors, and of course a vampy chick added to the mix, should like this film.
The Backup Plan
Chick Flick
3.5 stars
Cute love story. After giving up on love, Jennifer Lopez decides to artificially inseminate herself and then runs into the man (Alex O’Loughlin) who may be “the one”. There are a handful of pratfalls in this movie, but they’re not nearly as frequent or ridiculous as in films like When in Rome or Leap Year. Despite the few silly scenes, this is a decent chick flick – at least enough to hold us over until Eat, Pray, Love and Sex in the City come out this summer!
3.5 stars
Cute love story. After giving up on love, Jennifer Lopez decides to artificially inseminate herself and then runs into the man (Alex O’Loughlin) who may be “the one”. There are a handful of pratfalls in this movie, but they’re not nearly as frequent or ridiculous as in films like When in Rome or Leap Year. Despite the few silly scenes, this is a decent chick flick – at least enough to hold us over until Eat, Pray, Love and Sex in the City come out this summer!
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