X-Files: I want to Believe

The X-Files: I want to Believe: Being a huge X-Files fan, I was very pleased to see the series get another big screen installment. Another plus was hearing that this film would have nothing to do with the on-going alien conspiracy and would instead be a “stand-alone” thriller. In its prime, The X-Files' stand-alone episodes were basically mini sci-fi movies. The idea of expanding the budget and scope for the movie houses seemed like a slam dunk. However, it did not seem to me that this latest X-Files movie really expanded the budget, nor the scope of the story. It was basically like watching a TV episode in the theater. This is not the worst thing though as the chemistry between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully is still one of the best. I also enjoyed how easily they caught us up with the character’s lives and what they have been doing since we last saw them some 6 years ago. The plot was average for X-Files standards, focusing on psychic visions from a priest to help find a missing FBI agent. The villains who kidnapped the agent and the reason for it was perverse, but again I would have liked something a bit creepier. I also would have enjoyed a little more screen time with the villains to fill out their characters. A sub-plot involving Scully’s connection with her young patient at the hospital gave the film a deeper meaning as did her relationship with Mulder. In the end, I liked the movie and was happy to see the duo in action again, but I did feel the series had more potential than what we saw in I Want to Believe.
Ry’s Rating: C+

If this movie had Parents, they would be: The X-Files (1998) & Dirty Pretty Things

With a runtime of 104 minutes
This film is rated PG-13

The Dark Night

The Dark Knight: Best Batman movie ever? Absolutely. Best superhero movie of all time? Almost (answer may change to “yes” after another viewing). This latest bat adventure is different from previous superhero films in that it works more as a crime drama than an over-the-top action flick. Even without any of the bat gadgets or any of the bat stunts you would still be engrossed in the strong storyline - the gadgets and stunts are just a big plus. As for all of the hype concerning Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker = Deserved. He owned this role. Equally impressive and not to be overlooked is Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon whose character was at the heart of the film. Aaron Eckhart plays Harvey Dent/Two Face who I thought did an excellent job as well. In fact, Christian Bale who is an amazing Bruce Wayne was probably the weakest of the four. This is not a knock on Bale, but rather praise for the whole cast. The movie opens up with the Joker about to cause havoc on Gotham City’s mob scene. Meanwhile Batman is working closely with Gordon to rid the streets of crime. They are trying to go for a big blow against the mob instead of just making small arrests. Furthermore, Gordon and Batman are ready to start working with Harvey Dent, a district attorney with the same goal as them. Can the three of them work together to make Gotham safe again or can the Joker pit them against each other to cause even more disorder? “Holy 4-star movie Batman!”

Ry's Rating: A-

If this movie had Parents they would be: Heat & Batman (1989)

With a running time of 155 minutes

This film is rated PG-13

Wall-E

Wall-E: It really seems like the team at Pixar can’t make a bad movie. Their latest offering, Wall-E may just be the best of the bunch. At its core, Wall-E is a simple and innocent love story. The movie is set about 700 years in the future when mankind has left Earth because the planet has become overrun with their own garbage. Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter, Earth Class) is the only robot still working to clean up the planet until another robot named EVE arrives on her own mission. Wall-E may not know exactly what EVE is trying to discover, but that does not stop him from making a discovery himself….love! The adventure then blasts off to space where we see how the human race has evolved, or really how they have un-evolved. The film works on multiple levels. Besides the love story, it also serves as a good sci-fi story and all the while is extremely amusing from start to finish. Neither of the lead robots has much dialogue so much of the storytelling and comedy is done in visuals and is reminiscent of the great Chaplin/Keats silent films. Meanwhile, the animation is done so well that you almost forget you are watching an animated movie – this is especially true for the 1st half of the picture. It is also the 1st half of the movie that reels the viewer in and makes you care so much for Wall-E and EVE. It is a film that gets the label “A movie for the whole family”. While this is mainly true, I do not think it is for younger children as I am not sure it will hold their attention. But anyone over the age of 5 will agree, Wall-E is one of the year’s best!

Ry's Rating: A-

If this movie had Parents they would be: 2001: A Space Odyssey & The Little Mermaid

With a runtime of 107 minutes

This film is rated G