Drama, True Story
5 stars
Excellent film based on the true story of bootleggers in Virginia during prohibition. Tom Hardy (making up for his goofy comedy This Means War) plays the oldest and wisest of the four Bondurant brothers who decide they are not going to be bullied into giving up a percentage of their profits to corrupt law enforcement. Jason Clarke (Public Enemies) plays his loyal and mean partner in crime, Shia LaBeouf plays the brash, cocky younger brother who wants to be part of the family business, and Dane DeHaan (Chronicle) plays the youngest brother with crippled legs. Guy Pearce (Memento, Traitor, King’s Speech) gives a chilling performance as a dirty mean Special Deputy from Chicago. I’m pretty sure there will be Oscar nominations for both Pearce and Hardy, whose performance of a man of few words is simply perfect. Also included in the cast are two of the finest young actresses today: Jessica Chastain (The Help, The Debt) and Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, The Kids Are All Right). There are a few gory violent scenes. Excellent film.
Friday, August 31, 2012
For a Good Time, Call...
Comedy, Raunchy
3.5 stars
Funny film about a pair of roommates (Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller) who, desperate to pay the rent, develop a phone-sex business. Justin Long has an amusing role as the mutual friend who introduced them. It’s funny, there are plenty of “bro-mance” comedies out these days, but what is the word for two girls who have a platonic love for one another? Since I can’t think of a better word, this is sort of a “chick-mance” film. It’s funny. It’s raunchy. It’s good for a few laughs.
3.5 stars
Funny film about a pair of roommates (Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller) who, desperate to pay the rent, develop a phone-sex business. Justin Long has an amusing role as the mutual friend who introduced them. It’s funny, there are plenty of “bro-mance” comedies out these days, but what is the word for two girls who have a platonic love for one another? Since I can’t think of a better word, this is sort of a “chick-mance” film. It’s funny. It’s raunchy. It’s good for a few laughs.
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Drama
3 stars
Cute, but tries too hard and the previews gave away the entire story. Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton (Warrior) play prospective parents who interview at an adoption agency and tell the fanciful tale of Timothy, the boy who “came from the garden”. I tend to like magical, whimsical tales, and this one is sweet, but something just wasn’t right about it. I liked little Timothy (CJ Adams) with his mystery and his little friend with whom he created a magical world – but I just didn’t buy into it. And why would anyone tell such a crazy story to an adoption agency even if it was true? Wait for cable.
3 stars
Cute, but tries too hard and the previews gave away the entire story. Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton (Warrior) play prospective parents who interview at an adoption agency and tell the fanciful tale of Timothy, the boy who “came from the garden”. I tend to like magical, whimsical tales, and this one is sweet, but something just wasn’t right about it. I liked little Timothy (CJ Adams) with his mystery and his little friend with whom he created a magical world – but I just didn’t buy into it. And why would anyone tell such a crazy story to an adoption agency even if it was true? Wait for cable.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Hit and Run
Comedy, Action
4 stars
Very funny. Dax Shepard (TV’s Parenthood) falls in love with Kristen Bell while hidden away under Witness Protection and under the watch of inept U.S. Marshall Tom Arnold. Things go awry when Shepard crosses paths with the man he betrayed, Bradley Cooper. Co-stars include Joy Bryant (also from TV’s Parenthood), Kristen Chenoweth, Beau Bridges, David Koechner (TV’s The Office), and John Duff, a little-known body builder who is in my favorite scene of the film. A little dumb, but a fun movie.
Trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2097307/
4 stars
Very funny. Dax Shepard (TV’s Parenthood) falls in love with Kristen Bell while hidden away under Witness Protection and under the watch of inept U.S. Marshall Tom Arnold. Things go awry when Shepard crosses paths with the man he betrayed, Bradley Cooper. Co-stars include Joy Bryant (also from TV’s Parenthood), Kristen Chenoweth, Beau Bridges, David Koechner (TV’s The Office), and John Duff, a little-known body builder who is in my favorite scene of the film. A little dumb, but a fun movie.
Trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2097307/
Celeste and Jesse Forever
Indie, Romantic Comedy
3.5 stars
Nice story, I liked it. Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg play the best of friends who happen to be going through a divorce. All their friends can see that they are made for each other, but they think they are better off just being friends. Complications arise when they begin dating other people. Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) and Chris Messina (Ruby Sparks and TV’s Damages) costar, as well as Emma Roberts as a spoiled pop star. Some crude humor, but a good flick.
Trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3209208345/
3.5 stars
Nice story, I liked it. Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg play the best of friends who happen to be going through a divorce. All their friends can see that they are made for each other, but they think they are better off just being friends. Complications arise when they begin dating other people. Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) and Chris Messina (Ruby Sparks and TV’s Damages) costar, as well as Emma Roberts as a spoiled pop star. Some crude humor, but a good flick.
Trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3209208345/
Friday, August 17, 2012
ParaNorman
Animated, Sci-Fi
4 stars
Really cute! An eleven year old boy sees dead people – and he must use his “gift” to save his town from the curse of a 300 year old witch. I loved the imaginative animated townsfolk. Voices include Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road, Let Me In) as Norman, Anna Kendrick as his older sister, Tucker Albrizzi as his best friend, and Casey Affleck as Albrizzi’s dopey older brother. Also Christopher Mintz-Plasse as the bully, and John Goodman as Norman’s creepy old uncle. I loved it.
4 stars
Really cute! An eleven year old boy sees dead people – and he must use his “gift” to save his town from the curse of a 300 year old witch. I loved the imaginative animated townsfolk. Voices include Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road, Let Me In) as Norman, Anna Kendrick as his older sister, Tucker Albrizzi as his best friend, and Casey Affleck as Albrizzi’s dopey older brother. Also Christopher Mintz-Plasse as the bully, and John Goodman as Norman’s creepy old uncle. I loved it.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Bourne Legacy
Action, Suspense
4 stars
Exciting, but doesn’t always make sense. Jeremy Renner stars as a CIA operative who learns that the entire project he has been part of is being eliminated. What is flimsy is the reasoning behind killing everyone involved with the project. Rachel Weisz co-stars. Jim and I thought it was very exciting and fun to watch, there just needed to be a better reason for killing everyone off. Good acting and special effects. Good mindless fun.
4 stars
Exciting, but doesn’t always make sense. Jeremy Renner stars as a CIA operative who learns that the entire project he has been part of is being eliminated. What is flimsy is the reasoning behind killing everyone involved with the project. Rachel Weisz co-stars. Jim and I thought it was very exciting and fun to watch, there just needed to be a better reason for killing everyone off. Good acting and special effects. Good mindless fun.
Total Recall
Action, Suspense
3.5 stars
Exciting, but a silly plot. Colin Farrell stars in this remake of the 1990 film as a blue collar worker who attempts to have fake memories implanted in his mind, only to find the life he has been living is all a lie. Suddenly he finds himself on the run, with police in hot pursuit. Kate Beckinsale co-stars as his “wife” and Jessica Biel plays his dream girl. This film is much better than the original, with some changes to story. I can’t point out my issues with the plot without giving away the story, but it’s the same issue I had with the original film. Fun, but kinda dumb.
3.5 stars
Exciting, but a silly plot. Colin Farrell stars in this remake of the 1990 film as a blue collar worker who attempts to have fake memories implanted in his mind, only to find the life he has been living is all a lie. Suddenly he finds himself on the run, with police in hot pursuit. Kate Beckinsale co-stars as his “wife” and Jessica Biel plays his dream girl. This film is much better than the original, with some changes to story. I can’t point out my issues with the plot without giving away the story, but it’s the same issue I had with the original film. Fun, but kinda dumb.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Hope Springs
Comedy, Drama
4 stars
Loved it! Meryl Streep signs up her husband, Tommy Lee Jones, for intensive couple’s therapy with counselor Steve Carell. The film can be a little slow at times, but watching Tommy Lee Jones squirm while being questioned about his sex life is hilarious – I’m not sure how Carell was able to keep a straight face. Streep brings her usual warmth and sweetness to her role. The gorgeous scenery (that is supposed to be in Maine) was actually filmed in Connecticut, but has all the New England charm I get homesick for sometimes. Loved it.
4 stars
Loved it! Meryl Streep signs up her husband, Tommy Lee Jones, for intensive couple’s therapy with counselor Steve Carell. The film can be a little slow at times, but watching Tommy Lee Jones squirm while being questioned about his sex life is hilarious – I’m not sure how Carell was able to keep a straight face. Streep brings her usual warmth and sweetness to her role. The gorgeous scenery (that is supposed to be in Maine) was actually filmed in Connecticut, but has all the New England charm I get homesick for sometimes. Loved it.
Red Lights
Drama, Suspense
2 stars
Very Disappointing. Sigourney Weaver and Cillian Murphy (Red Eye, Inception) play scientists who specialize in debunking so-called supernatural occurrences. Robert De Niro plays a world famous psychic who Murphy really wants to investigate. All kinds of strange and creepy things start to happen, but it just left me asking “why?”. Why weren’t the police called? Why was a certain secret kept from the one person who would appreciate it? How could certain things be gotten away with? Why did I sit through this stupid movie??? Do yourself a favor and skip it.
2 stars
Very Disappointing. Sigourney Weaver and Cillian Murphy (Red Eye, Inception) play scientists who specialize in debunking so-called supernatural occurrences. Robert De Niro plays a world famous psychic who Murphy really wants to investigate. All kinds of strange and creepy things start to happen, but it just left me asking “why?”. Why weren’t the police called? Why was a certain secret kept from the one person who would appreciate it? How could certain things be gotten away with? Why did I sit through this stupid movie??? Do yourself a favor and skip it.
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