Documentary
4.5 stars
Excellent account of how bullying affects victims as well as their families and where the school system fails them. Bring tissues. The film follows an assortment of families from around the country, either with children currently being bullied at school, or those who’ve lost their children to suicide. It’s frustrating to watch at times, as you wonder what the heck is wrong with that Sioux Falls school principle and bus driver, and I’m left wondering/hoping if they’ve been fired yet? Equally frustrating are the general attitudes of the school and law enforcement officials: “boys will be boys”. I wish the film gave a little more background as to how they chose Alex, who didn’t seem to think he was being bullied. Very good thought provoking film.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Think Like a Man
Comedy, Romance
3.5 stars
Very funny - much better than I expected. An assorted group of buddies all think they have the upper hand in their relationships until they get duped when the women in their lives buy the same best selling book teaching them how to get what they want. I read another review complaining that it felt like an advertisement for the book. I honestly didn’t know it was a real book when I watched the movie and thought it was hilarious, including the plugs by the author. Stars include Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Hensen, Jerry Farrara, Meagan Good and Kevin Hart as the little annoying guy who is so funny. The ending is predictable, as in all romantic comedies, but it’s still a fun ride.
3.5 stars
Very funny - much better than I expected. An assorted group of buddies all think they have the upper hand in their relationships until they get duped when the women in their lives buy the same best selling book teaching them how to get what they want. I read another review complaining that it felt like an advertisement for the book. I honestly didn’t know it was a real book when I watched the movie and thought it was hilarious, including the plugs by the author. Stars include Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Hensen, Jerry Farrara, Meagan Good and Kevin Hart as the little annoying guy who is so funny. The ending is predictable, as in all romantic comedies, but it’s still a fun ride.
The Lucky One
Chick Flick, Romance
3.5 stars
Sweet sentimental film only for chick flick lovers. Zac Efron plays a US Marine home with PTSD who searches for the woman whose photo he found while he was in Afghanistan because he believes finding her photo gave him luck and saved his life (Taylor Schilling). It’s a good chick flick though it didn’t make me cry (my gauge for determining how good a chick flick is) and the climax felt contrived. I also kept wondering if Schilling even owned a hairbrush! Blythe Danner co-stars (I always love her) as well as Riley Thomas Stewart as the cute little boy. Decent film only for lovers of the genre.
3.5 stars
Sweet sentimental film only for chick flick lovers. Zac Efron plays a US Marine home with PTSD who searches for the woman whose photo he found while he was in Afghanistan because he believes finding her photo gave him luck and saved his life (Taylor Schilling). It’s a good chick flick though it didn’t make me cry (my gauge for determining how good a chick flick is) and the climax felt contrived. I also kept wondering if Schilling even owned a hairbrush! Blythe Danner co-stars (I always love her) as well as Riley Thomas Stewart as the cute little boy. Decent film only for lovers of the genre.
Friday, April 6, 2012
American Reunion
Comedy, Raunchy
3 stars
Funny, but not as funny as the original American Pie. The dudes from the class of 1999 find themselves back in Michigan for their overdue high school reunion. If you were a fan of the original film, it’s nice to see the characters 13 years later; though they are somewhat mellowed with age (except Stifler, of course). It’s best not to give away details. Jason Biggs, Sean William Scott, and all the original cast members are back. I liked it. Only for American Pie fans.
3 stars
Funny, but not as funny as the original American Pie. The dudes from the class of 1999 find themselves back in Michigan for their overdue high school reunion. If you were a fan of the original film, it’s nice to see the characters 13 years later; though they are somewhat mellowed with age (except Stifler, of course). It’s best not to give away details. Jason Biggs, Sean William Scott, and all the original cast members are back. I liked it. Only for American Pie fans.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Wrath of the Titans
Action, Fantasy
3.5 stars
Interesting continuation of Clash of Titans not found in mythological lure but instead created in Hollywood writers’ minds. In this story, Hades, God of the Underworld, and Aries, God of War, unite against Zeus and Poseidon to bring back their evil father, Cronus, to destroy mankind. Perseus must unite with Poseidon’s wayward son to try to save mankind. Included are some of the Odyssey’s greatest hits (Odysseus was the hero in that story, not Perseus) such as the Cyclops, the Labyrinth, and I think that thing was supposed to be the Minotaur. Lots of other made up monsters make this movie fun and imaginative. Stars include Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Rosamund Pike as Andromeda. I thought this film was fun, full of action and special effects, and better than Clash of the Titans.
3.5 stars
Interesting continuation of Clash of Titans not found in mythological lure but instead created in Hollywood writers’ minds. In this story, Hades, God of the Underworld, and Aries, God of War, unite against Zeus and Poseidon to bring back their evil father, Cronus, to destroy mankind. Perseus must unite with Poseidon’s wayward son to try to save mankind. Included are some of the Odyssey’s greatest hits (Odysseus was the hero in that story, not Perseus) such as the Cyclops, the Labyrinth, and I think that thing was supposed to be the Minotaur. Lots of other made up monsters make this movie fun and imaginative. Stars include Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Rosamund Pike as Andromeda. I thought this film was fun, full of action and special effects, and better than Clash of the Titans.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Mirror, Mirror
Family, Fantasy
4.5 stars
Loved it. Lily Collins stars as Snow White who must overcome her evil step-mother/Queen, Julia Roberts, as they both vie for Prince Charming, played by Armie Hammer (boy does he remind me of Brendan Fraser!). Nathan Lane co-stars as the Huntsman. Loved the dwarves, especially poor love sick Half Pint (Mark Povinelli). Loved the costuming, the characters and the palace. Fun, Fun, Fun.
4.5 stars
Loved it. Lily Collins stars as Snow White who must overcome her evil step-mother/Queen, Julia Roberts, as they both vie for Prince Charming, played by Armie Hammer (boy does he remind me of Brendan Fraser!). Nathan Lane co-stars as the Huntsman. Loved the dwarves, especially poor love sick Half Pint (Mark Povinelli). Loved the costuming, the characters and the palace. Fun, Fun, Fun.
Jeff Who Lives at Home
Comedy, Dry
3.5 stars
Cute. Jason Segel stars as the title character, a schlep with no job or motivation. Ed Helms (Hangover) plays his jerk of a brother and their mother, Susan Sarandon, can only hope for the best for her loser sons. It’s not a bad movie; I just don’t really like watching films about losers. It does have a nice ending though, one you won’t see coming. Good, but wait for cable.
3.5 stars
Cute. Jason Segel stars as the title character, a schlep with no job or motivation. Ed Helms (Hangover) plays his jerk of a brother and their mother, Susan Sarandon, can only hope for the best for her loser sons. It’s not a bad movie; I just don’t really like watching films about losers. It does have a nice ending though, one you won’t see coming. Good, but wait for cable.
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