Horror, Slasher
3.5 stars
Much like the previous Scream films. This time around, sole surviving victim Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns home to promote her book on crisis survival only to have the murders start up again. I used to enjoy the flirty banter and comic relief of David Arquette and Courtney Cox Arquette, but this time around, they are a cranky married couple resembling their real life personas too much. As usual, the teenagers all think they are smarter than everyone else, as teenagers always do. Luckily, I was in the mood to watch teenagers kill each other off. It seemed like all the new young Hollywood stars of today appeared in the film so I won’t name them all here. It’s an effective slasher flick relevant to today’s younger generations.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Water For Elephants
4 stars
Drama, Romance
Good movie. Robert Pattinson (Twilight) joins the circus as a veterinarian in 1931 and falls for the malicious boss’s wife (Christoph Waltz, just as scary as his Inglorious Basterds Nazi character, and Reese Witherspoon). I tried to read this best-selling book, but just couldn’t get into it, so I can’t compare. The animal abuse scenes were really hard to watch – I even had to cover my eyes. It was a good movie.
Drama, Romance
Good movie. Robert Pattinson (Twilight) joins the circus as a veterinarian in 1931 and falls for the malicious boss’s wife (Christoph Waltz, just as scary as his Inglorious Basterds Nazi character, and Reese Witherspoon). I tried to read this best-selling book, but just couldn’t get into it, so I can’t compare. The animal abuse scenes were really hard to watch – I even had to cover my eyes. It was a good movie.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Rio (3D)
Family, Animated
4 stars
Cute story with a visually stunning palette and tap-your-foot music. An endangered “cerulean macaw” named Blu is sent to Rio to mate with a female. Parents: be prepared to explain the “birds and bees” (pun intended) to your little ones as well as explaining why a little boy would be impoverished and homeless. Being a former parrot enthusiast I can tell you there is no such thing as a “cerulean macaw”, but there is a gorgeous and endangered Hyacinth Macaw with pretty yellow cheeks and eyelids, so I’m not sure why Disney Pixar didn’t just highlight the real bird? Also, I don’t agree with their choices of Jesse Eisenberg and Ann Hathaway as the voices for the leads; I was distracted by the voices that didn’t seem to fit the characters. Other voices were great (even though none of them were Brazilian!), including will.i.am, Jamie Foxx (who would have been a better voice for the lead) and George Lopez. Nevertheless, Rio is a fun, entertaining and very colorful romp. Now I really want to see the Rio Carnival!!!
4 stars
Cute story with a visually stunning palette and tap-your-foot music. An endangered “cerulean macaw” named Blu is sent to Rio to mate with a female. Parents: be prepared to explain the “birds and bees” (pun intended) to your little ones as well as explaining why a little boy would be impoverished and homeless. Being a former parrot enthusiast I can tell you there is no such thing as a “cerulean macaw”, but there is a gorgeous and endangered Hyacinth Macaw with pretty yellow cheeks and eyelids, so I’m not sure why Disney Pixar didn’t just highlight the real bird? Also, I don’t agree with their choices of Jesse Eisenberg and Ann Hathaway as the voices for the leads; I was distracted by the voices that didn’t seem to fit the characters. Other voices were great (even though none of them were Brazilian!), including will.i.am, Jamie Foxx (who would have been a better voice for the lead) and George Lopez. Nevertheless, Rio is a fun, entertaining and very colorful romp. Now I really want to see the Rio Carnival!!!
Potiche
Foreign, Comedy
4.5 stars
Loved it. Catherine Deneuve stars as a “trophy housewife” in 1977 France who is taken for granted by her husband and children. When her philandering husband becomes ill, she takes over the ailing family business and turns it into a success, much to her husband’s dismay. Gerard Depardieu co-stars as the local Mayor MP whom Deneuve consults and flirts with. I loved that it took place during the advent of women’s rights in France, not only for the politics but for the fashions of the time. Only the French can get away with making light of adultery for an entertaining comedy. The title translates to "figurehead". French, with English subtitles. Very good.
4.5 stars
Loved it. Catherine Deneuve stars as a “trophy housewife” in 1977 France who is taken for granted by her husband and children. When her philandering husband becomes ill, she takes over the ailing family business and turns it into a success, much to her husband’s dismay. Gerard Depardieu co-stars as the local Mayor MP whom Deneuve consults and flirts with. I loved that it took place during the advent of women’s rights in France, not only for the politics but for the fashions of the time. Only the French can get away with making light of adultery for an entertaining comedy. The title translates to "figurehead". French, with English subtitles. Very good.
Your Highness
Comedy
3 stars
Funny, but too many genital jokes. Danny McBride reteams with Pineapple Express co-star James Franco as the jealous little brother of the hero prince in Medieval times. Together they go on a quest to save Franco’s fiancé, Zooey Deschanel, from an evil wizard, Justin Theroux. Along they way, they meet up with the sexy Natalie Portman. Sorry guys, there is no more of Portman exposed than what you see in the previews, but there are some other naked chicks in another scene. It’s a cute movie, but nothing great, with too many adolescent jokes.
3 stars
Funny, but too many genital jokes. Danny McBride reteams with Pineapple Express co-star James Franco as the jealous little brother of the hero prince in Medieval times. Together they go on a quest to save Franco’s fiancé, Zooey Deschanel, from an evil wizard, Justin Theroux. Along they way, they meet up with the sexy Natalie Portman. Sorry guys, there is no more of Portman exposed than what you see in the previews, but there are some other naked chicks in another scene. It’s a cute movie, but nothing great, with too many adolescent jokes.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Arthur
Comedy
4 stars
Fun remake - I liked it even though there was no need to remake the classic. Russell Brand effectively takes the reigns from the late, great, irreplaceable Dudley Moore as the lovable alcoholic man-child with a bottomless bank account. I have to say I like Greta Gerwig (No Strings Attached, Greenberg) infinitely better than Liza Minnelli as Arthur’s love interest. She is a much more believable and a more likable character. I was resistant at first of Helen Mirren taking over the previously male role of Hobson, but she’s such a talented actress she won me over. Jennifer Garner co-stars as the mentally imbalanced Susan, who wants to marry Arthur for the family name and family business. What I like about this version is that it has heart, much more so than the original. The characters feel more real (except for Garner’s silly role), and the romance between Brand and Gerwig rings truer than the original between Minnelli and Moore. Well done.
4 stars
Fun remake - I liked it even though there was no need to remake the classic. Russell Brand effectively takes the reigns from the late, great, irreplaceable Dudley Moore as the lovable alcoholic man-child with a bottomless bank account. I have to say I like Greta Gerwig (No Strings Attached, Greenberg) infinitely better than Liza Minnelli as Arthur’s love interest. She is a much more believable and a more likable character. I was resistant at first of Helen Mirren taking over the previously male role of Hobson, but she’s such a talented actress she won me over. Jennifer Garner co-stars as the mentally imbalanced Susan, who wants to marry Arthur for the family name and family business. What I like about this version is that it has heart, much more so than the original. The characters feel more real (except for Garner’s silly role), and the romance between Brand and Gerwig rings truer than the original between Minnelli and Moore. Well done.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Source Code
Action,Drama
3.5 stars
Interesting story starring Jake Gyllenhaal as an air force pilot who is inexplicably sent back in time for 8 minute time frames to locate and identify a train bomber. As he keeps repeating the same 8 minute slot in time, he falls for fellow train passenger Michelle Monaghan and hopes to somehow spare her from certain death. There is more to it than meets the eye, but it’s not too hard to figure out. Vera Farmiga co-stars. I still enjoyed it. It’s not quite Groundhog Day; it’s a little more interesting than that. And the views of Chicago were fab, almost makes all those hovering helicopters at all times of the year worth while... A decent flick. But I think Limitless or Lincoln Lawyer are better choices.
3.5 stars
Interesting story starring Jake Gyllenhaal as an air force pilot who is inexplicably sent back in time for 8 minute time frames to locate and identify a train bomber. As he keeps repeating the same 8 minute slot in time, he falls for fellow train passenger Michelle Monaghan and hopes to somehow spare her from certain death. There is more to it than meets the eye, but it’s not too hard to figure out. Vera Farmiga co-stars. I still enjoyed it. It’s not quite Groundhog Day; it’s a little more interesting than that. And the views of Chicago were fab, almost makes all those hovering helicopters at all times of the year worth while... A decent flick. But I think Limitless or Lincoln Lawyer are better choices.
Jane Eyre (2011)
British, Period
4.5 stars
Excellent movie. Too bad I never read the book, so I can’t compare. Poor Jane Eyre is almost the original Cinderella with her sad upbringing and station in life until she meets the dashing, but bittersweet Mr. Rochester. At times almost scary, certainly eerie, this version certainly beats those old, dusty PBS numbers. I’ve become a fan of the very talented star Mia Wasikowska after her turns in The Kids Are All Right, the star of Alice and Wonderland as well as her notable role in I Am Love. Michael Fassbender was perfect as the strange and mysterious Mr. Rochester. Excellent film.
4.5 stars
Excellent movie. Too bad I never read the book, so I can’t compare. Poor Jane Eyre is almost the original Cinderella with her sad upbringing and station in life until she meets the dashing, but bittersweet Mr. Rochester. At times almost scary, certainly eerie, this version certainly beats those old, dusty PBS numbers. I’ve become a fan of the very talented star Mia Wasikowska after her turns in The Kids Are All Right, the star of Alice and Wonderland as well as her notable role in I Am Love. Michael Fassbender was perfect as the strange and mysterious Mr. Rochester. Excellent film.
Certified Copy
Foreign, Drama
2 stars
“Oy vey!” aptly sums this one up. Juliette Binoche stars as a French woman living in Tuscany who entertains a visiting author (William Shimell) for the day by driving him around the Tuscan countryside and visiting quaint little villages. Sounds quaint and perfect, doesn’t it? Well trust me, it ain’t. After being mistaken as a married couple they play along with the ruse, only they bicker and b*itch at each other the entire time, which is meant to lead you to wonder: are they a pair pretending to be married, or are they a married couple pretending they just met? My guess is they were once a bitter couple who paths have crossed once again. As much as I am a fan of all things Italy, especially the scenery and quaintness of it all, the backdrop couldn’t make up for all the arguing, complaining, and b*itch, b*itch, b*itching they do throughout the entire thing. Spoken partly in English, French and Italian with English subtitles. I want those two hours of my life back!!! Skip it.
2 stars
“Oy vey!” aptly sums this one up. Juliette Binoche stars as a French woman living in Tuscany who entertains a visiting author (William Shimell) for the day by driving him around the Tuscan countryside and visiting quaint little villages. Sounds quaint and perfect, doesn’t it? Well trust me, it ain’t. After being mistaken as a married couple they play along with the ruse, only they bicker and b*itch at each other the entire time, which is meant to lead you to wonder: are they a pair pretending to be married, or are they a married couple pretending they just met? My guess is they were once a bitter couple who paths have crossed once again. As much as I am a fan of all things Italy, especially the scenery and quaintness of it all, the backdrop couldn’t make up for all the arguing, complaining, and b*itch, b*itch, b*itching they do throughout the entire thing. Spoken partly in English, French and Italian with English subtitles. I want those two hours of my life back!!! Skip it.
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