Comedy, Dumb
3 stars
Funny, but dumb; about what you’d expect. Ben Stiller stars as a community-conscious suburbanite who starts up a neighborhood watch group, only to discover there are man-eating aliens in his town. Stiller’s goofy watch group includes Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade (he’s been in six TV series I’ve never heard of, the longest running one was The IT Crowd). But seriously, does a manager of Costo (Stiller) make enough money to live in a McMansion? At $60k (according to my Google search), I don’t think so! A silly mindless comedy, good for a few laughs.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Ruby Sparks
Indie/Drama
4 stars
Very good. Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, Cowboys & Aliens) stars as an author who begins writing a book about his dream girl when she suddenly materializes in his home. It turns out to be not all fun and games, but I still loved it. The screenplay was written by the dream girl herself, Zoe Kazan (It’s Complicated). The great cast includes Elliott Gould as Dano’s shrink, Steve Coogan as a colleague, Annette Bening & Antonio Banderas as his Mom & stepdad, and Chris Messina (TV’s Damages) as his incredulous brother. Good movie.
4 stars
Very good. Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, Cowboys & Aliens) stars as an author who begins writing a book about his dream girl when she suddenly materializes in his home. It turns out to be not all fun and games, but I still loved it. The screenplay was written by the dream girl herself, Zoe Kazan (It’s Complicated). The great cast includes Elliott Gould as Dano’s shrink, Steve Coogan as a colleague, Annette Bening & Antonio Banderas as his Mom & stepdad, and Chris Messina (TV’s Damages) as his incredulous brother. Good movie.
Friday, July 20, 2012
The Dark Knight Rises
Sci-Fi, Action
3.5 stars
Really, really long! 2 hours and 44 minutes long! Batman seems to have met his match with a bad guy named Bane (get it?) who wears a weird mask that makes his voice annoyingly loud. I won’t give anything away, but it would have been helpful if I had refreshed my memory by re-watching the previous two installments of this series. Anne Hathaway costars as a sort of cat woman – though that title was never used. I thought some of the conversations and scenes moved way too slowly for an overdone dramatic effect. My thoughts: too long, too slow, too dark, they tried too hard to make it super dramatic and how exactly did Batman return to Gotham City (you’ll get what I mean when you see it)? It would be best if you remember all the former characters from the previous movies, and don’t buy any soda unless you have an iron bladder. I stayed about 2 or 3 minutes into the closing credits until the cast rolled, and there were no extra scenes. This so-called “trilogy” is still wide open for more sequels. Only for true fans of this series.
3.5 stars
Really, really long! 2 hours and 44 minutes long! Batman seems to have met his match with a bad guy named Bane (get it?) who wears a weird mask that makes his voice annoyingly loud. I won’t give anything away, but it would have been helpful if I had refreshed my memory by re-watching the previous two installments of this series. Anne Hathaway costars as a sort of cat woman – though that title was never used. I thought some of the conversations and scenes moved way too slowly for an overdone dramatic effect. My thoughts: too long, too slow, too dark, they tried too hard to make it super dramatic and how exactly did Batman return to Gotham City (you’ll get what I mean when you see it)? It would be best if you remember all the former characters from the previous movies, and don’t buy any soda unless you have an iron bladder. I stayed about 2 or 3 minutes into the closing credits until the cast rolled, and there were no extra scenes. This so-called “trilogy” is still wide open for more sequels. Only for true fans of this series.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Amazing Spiderman
Sci-Fi, Action
4 stars
Decent action flick, but skip the 3D version. Andrew Garfield stars as the brilliant Peter Parker, raised by his aunt and uncle (Sally Field and Martin Sheen) who just wants to find out what happened to his parents. Rhys Ifans plays a former colleague of his father; Emma Stone plays his crush and Dennis Leary plays the police captain not amused by Spiderman’s tactics. I liked this better than previous Spidey flicks because there is no sappy billionaire best friend storyline. As I said, I didn’t find any benefit in paying extra for the 3D version, stick with the 2D – which is too bad because I thought there would be plenty of Spidey swinging towards the audience; but there wasn’t. Stay during the closing credits as there is an additional scene about a minute into them. Fun flick.
4 stars
Decent action flick, but skip the 3D version. Andrew Garfield stars as the brilliant Peter Parker, raised by his aunt and uncle (Sally Field and Martin Sheen) who just wants to find out what happened to his parents. Rhys Ifans plays a former colleague of his father; Emma Stone plays his crush and Dennis Leary plays the police captain not amused by Spiderman’s tactics. I liked this better than previous Spidey flicks because there is no sappy billionaire best friend storyline. As I said, I didn’t find any benefit in paying extra for the 3D version, stick with the 2D – which is too bad because I thought there would be plenty of Spidey swinging towards the audience; but there wasn’t. Stay during the closing credits as there is an additional scene about a minute into them. Fun flick.
Ted
Comedy, Dumb
3.5 stars
Guy movie; Better than I expected but still dumb. Mark Wahlberg plays a grown man living with his magical walking & talking, foul mouthed teddy bear, who comes between Wahlberg and his girlfriend Mila Kunis. Joel McHale co-stars as Kunis’s creepy boss and Giovanni Ribisi plays a creepy dude who wants Ted for his even creepier son. It was an amusing enough film but the only time I actually laughed out loud was when Wahlberg and Ted got into a knock down, drag out fight. I also liked a funny cameo that I won’t give away. But enough with the profanity and poop and fart jokes already. Wait for cable.
3.5 stars
Guy movie; Better than I expected but still dumb. Mark Wahlberg plays a grown man living with his magical walking & talking, foul mouthed teddy bear, who comes between Wahlberg and his girlfriend Mila Kunis. Joel McHale co-stars as Kunis’s creepy boss and Giovanni Ribisi plays a creepy dude who wants Ted for his even creepier son. It was an amusing enough film but the only time I actually laughed out loud was when Wahlberg and Ted got into a knock down, drag out fight. I also liked a funny cameo that I won’t give away. But enough with the profanity and poop and fart jokes already. Wait for cable.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Indie, Drama
4 stars
Good but depressing with gritty, extreme poverty, such as in the film Winter’s Bone. This film is told through the perspective of a six year old girl (Quvenzhané Wallis) being raised by her scary and volatile single father (Dwight Henry) in a filthy trailer heaped with trash in a small community cut off from the world by a levee. The community is full of survivors who raise their own livestock for food and work together to weather storms that completely flood their town. It is interesting to see their pride in their lifestyles and how they get by without jobs or any form of aid. I just got so depressed by all the trash in their homes – they make the folks in that show Hoarders look clean and organized! Good film on the human spirit and perseverance.
4 stars
Good but depressing with gritty, extreme poverty, such as in the film Winter’s Bone. This film is told through the perspective of a six year old girl (Quvenzhané Wallis) being raised by her scary and volatile single father (Dwight Henry) in a filthy trailer heaped with trash in a small community cut off from the world by a levee. The community is full of survivors who raise their own livestock for food and work together to weather storms that completely flood their town. It is interesting to see their pride in their lifestyles and how they get by without jobs or any form of aid. I just got so depressed by all the trash in their homes – they make the folks in that show Hoarders look clean and organized! Good film on the human spirit and perseverance.
People Like Us
Indie, Drama
4.5 stars
Good movie. Chris Pine stars as a self absorbed jerk who learns after his father’s death that he has a half-sister, Elizabeth Banks, as well as a nephew. (Wow, this sounds almost like Rainman, doesn’t it?). Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars as Pine’s mother and Olivia Wilde plays Pine’s way-too-tolerant girlfriend. I didn’t go see this film right away because I thought it would be one of those slow moving, emotional type films, but it is much better than that – and there are no sob scenes. Definitely add this one to your Netflix list.
4.5 stars
Good movie. Chris Pine stars as a self absorbed jerk who learns after his father’s death that he has a half-sister, Elizabeth Banks, as well as a nephew. (Wow, this sounds almost like Rainman, doesn’t it?). Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars as Pine’s mother and Olivia Wilde plays Pine’s way-too-tolerant girlfriend. I didn’t go see this film right away because I thought it would be one of those slow moving, emotional type films, but it is much better than that – and there are no sob scenes. Definitely add this one to your Netflix list.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Savages
Drama, Crime
4 stars
Gritty and violent, but really good. A powerful Mexican drug lord, Salma Hayek, wants to take over a small, well run drug operation managed by Aaron Johnson (Kick Ass) and Taylor Kitsch (Battleship, John Carter). As an incentive for their cooperation, Hayek has the girl both men love, Blake Lively, kidnapped. Benicio Del Toro co-stars as Hayek’s assassin, and John Travolta plays a corrupt politician. I liked it; even though there is one part near the end where I actually said out loud “Oh, Come on!” – you’ll know it when you see it. Good movie.
4 stars
Gritty and violent, but really good. A powerful Mexican drug lord, Salma Hayek, wants to take over a small, well run drug operation managed by Aaron Johnson (Kick Ass) and Taylor Kitsch (Battleship, John Carter). As an incentive for their cooperation, Hayek has the girl both men love, Blake Lively, kidnapped. Benicio Del Toro co-stars as Hayek’s assassin, and John Travolta plays a corrupt politician. I liked it; even though there is one part near the end where I actually said out loud “Oh, Come on!” – you’ll know it when you see it. Good movie.
Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection
Comedy
2.5 stars
Funny, but all the best scenes were given away in the previews. Madea gets paid to board a family of five after a man, Eugene Levy, is used as the fall guy in a Ponzi scheme. Unfortunately, Levy (American Pie) gets way too goofy, to the point of not being funny anymore. Denise Richards is miscast as Levy’s wife. The most fun was Grandma (Doris Roberts; Everyone Loves Raymond), who had a crush on Madea’s brother Joe (Tyler Perry), but that storyline wasn’t explored as much as I would have liked. The fun is in watching Madea deal with the family and their teenage daughter, as well as watch her reactions to pretty much everything. At least this Madea film is pure comedy and didn’t mix in some overdone drama with the storyline. Only for die-hard Madea fans.
2.5 stars
Funny, but all the best scenes were given away in the previews. Madea gets paid to board a family of five after a man, Eugene Levy, is used as the fall guy in a Ponzi scheme. Unfortunately, Levy (American Pie) gets way too goofy, to the point of not being funny anymore. Denise Richards is miscast as Levy’s wife. The most fun was Grandma (Doris Roberts; Everyone Loves Raymond), who had a crush on Madea’s brother Joe (Tyler Perry), but that storyline wasn’t explored as much as I would have liked. The fun is in watching Madea deal with the family and their teenage daughter, as well as watch her reactions to pretty much everything. At least this Madea film is pure comedy and didn’t mix in some overdone drama with the storyline. Only for die-hard Madea fans.
Magic Mike
Drama, Striptease
4 stars
Surprisingly good, along with some depth. Channing Tatum takes it all off for money, but aspires for a better life. Tatum mentors Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four), but falls for his sister, Cody Horn (TV’s Rescue Me and The Office). Other hunks include the strangely effeminate Matthew McConaughay and Adam Rodriguez (CSI: Miami), as well as Matt Bomer (In Time, and several TV shows and soaps) and the woefully underutilized Joe Manganiello (True Bood) whom I was most looking forward to seeing. This film includes the grittier side of their lifestyles, from the groupies to drugs to desperation. But there are fun strip scenes too. A good movie.
4 stars
Surprisingly good, along with some depth. Channing Tatum takes it all off for money, but aspires for a better life. Tatum mentors Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four), but falls for his sister, Cody Horn (TV’s Rescue Me and The Office). Other hunks include the strangely effeminate Matthew McConaughay and Adam Rodriguez (CSI: Miami), as well as Matt Bomer (In Time, and several TV shows and soaps) and the woefully underutilized Joe Manganiello (True Bood) whom I was most looking forward to seeing. This film includes the grittier side of their lifestyles, from the groupies to drugs to desperation. But there are fun strip scenes too. A good movie.
To Rome With Love
Indie, Comedy
4.5 stars
Loved it, though it is strange and bizarre. Woody Allen shows off the charms of Rome in this cute film where the characters live out their fantasies. Alec Baldwin gets to relive his young adulthood through Jesse Eisenberg; Woody tries relive his glory days in the music business by discovering a new talent; Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) experiences fame; and a young newlywed couple live out their fantasies with other people. Ellen Page (Juno) and Greta Gerwig (No Strings Attached, Arthur) should have swapped roles, I cannot see Page playing a sexy temptress, there is just nothing sexy about her. Penelope Cruz plays an amusing hooker. A fun, weird romp.
4.5 stars
Loved it, though it is strange and bizarre. Woody Allen shows off the charms of Rome in this cute film where the characters live out their fantasies. Alec Baldwin gets to relive his young adulthood through Jesse Eisenberg; Woody tries relive his glory days in the music business by discovering a new talent; Roberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful) experiences fame; and a young newlywed couple live out their fantasies with other people. Ellen Page (Juno) and Greta Gerwig (No Strings Attached, Arthur) should have swapped roles, I cannot see Page playing a sexy temptress, there is just nothing sexy about her. Penelope Cruz plays an amusing hooker. A fun, weird romp.
Brave
Animation, Adventure
4 stars
Jim and I both liked this one. A young Scottish princess doesn’t want to be married off to one of the local clans, so she embarks on an adventure to change her destiny which leads to disastrous results. Plenty of humor with several likable characters, along with one mean, scary bear. Voices include Kelly MacDonald (No Country For Old Men) as the princess, Emma Thompson as her Mom, and Billy Connolly (The Last Samurai) as the King. A cute, fun movie.
4 stars
Jim and I both liked this one. A young Scottish princess doesn’t want to be married off to one of the local clans, so she embarks on an adventure to change her destiny which leads to disastrous results. Plenty of humor with several likable characters, along with one mean, scary bear. Voices include Kelly MacDonald (No Country For Old Men) as the princess, Emma Thompson as her Mom, and Billy Connolly (The Last Samurai) as the King. A cute, fun movie.
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